A review of current literature on poll worker demographics, training, and recruitment.  Main questions include:

• Does sheer number of poll workers correlate with voter confidence?
• Does “better” training affect the number of problems encountered on Election Day?

In terms of demographics, poll workers are largely older and female, though fairly representative of the population by race.

There is a strong correlation between voter evaluation of poll workers and voter satisfaction and confidence, though more research is needed to determine a causal relationship between poll worker training and voter experience.

Poll worker performance seems to influence voter confidence more than just the number of poll workers.

Additional Details

Based on the information, the authors recommend:

• The need for more experimental or quasi-experimental research to improve poll worker training and recruitment practices
• Consideration of both quality and quantity in assessing poll workers
• Alternatives to the self-selection recruitment process, such as a draft similar to jury duty selection

Links

• University of Wisconsin, Madison