Our program, brought to Cherokee County by Janet Munda, Supervisor of Elections, incorporates First Vote sponsored by the Close-Up Foundation. We enlist 16-24 year old county high school and college students to work at the polls on Election Day. It creates, engages, and maintains a reliable, energetic, and experienced pool of precinct workers. These workers participate in the day-to-day workings of the election process. Our intent is to meet Election Day human resource needs and involve high school and college students in the electoral process while promoting voter registration to this segment of the population.

The module utilizes the Direct Record Electronic voting machines. In addition, this year we are participating in the new ExpressPolls equipment pilot program. The program allows students hands-on participation, and a glimpse into the future of voting. Student Poll Workers serve as role models for other students. An additional function of this program is to provide the students interaction with a diverse and multigenerational population while participating in the election process.

As a partnership between the Cherokee County Board of Elections and the Cherokee County Board of Education, this program affords paid and unique volunteer and community service opportunities for students. It also serves to demystify the voting process for those involved.

Joshua Clodfelter, Jessica Edwards and Justin Stroud embodied youth volunteerism at the Municipal Elections on 11/08/05. They were delightful to work alongside and added value to the elections process.

Student Poll Workers, recommended by their high schools, represent them with distinction.

For information contact: Ashley Goodwin, Community Outreach, awgoodwin@cherokeega.com or 770-479-0407 x 229.