LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles resident Valeece Smith has always embraced her civic duties.
What You Need To Know
- More than six millions Californians have voted already
- 56 millions people have already voted across the nation
- More than 500,000 signed up to be first-time poll workers just through the organization Power the Polls
- More than 100 early voting centers opened up in L.A. County on October 24
“I’ve been a life-long voter. I was going to say, our people fought long and hard for the right to vote,” she said.
During the March primaries, Smith was encouraged by the turnout.
“I was thrilled to stand-in line for over three hours to wait to cast my ballot. The spirit of togetherness and enthusiasm for everyone to do their part was just palpable and it was amazing,” she said.
That experience, compounded with the impact COVID-19 has had on many senior volunteers prompted Smith to get involved.
“I thought to myself, really I should consider doing something when it comes time for the general election because hopefully the response will be as enthusiastic if not more enthusiastic. They are going to need help. That’s why I decided that I wanted to volunteer as a poll worker,” Smith said.
This year the enthusiasm for voting and working the polls has been overwhelming. Half a million people signed up to be first-time poll workers, and that was just through the organization Power the Polls.
Smith also applied, but she did it through the Los Angeles County Registrar’s Office in August.
“September passed and I didn’t get anything, so at the beginning of October I started calling and first time they said ‘oh we’re still processing everything. You have plenty of time. You don’t have to worry,’” said Smith recalling her experience with the application process.
Smith never heard back, but 16,000 others did.
According to the L.A. County Registrar’s Office, that is the number of workers they have assigned for this year’s election.
Voter enthusiasm is also high. More than six million Californians have voted already.
LA County Registrar Dean Logan encouraged voters to cast their ballots early.
“I encourage you to take advantage of the early voting period. Do not wait until those final hours on Tuesday, November 3, because chances are that is when you are going to see a flood of people, the potential for longer lines. So, take advantage of those early options,” he said.
Smith hopes there will not be long lines on Election Day, but even if there are, she says, she will wait, as long as she has to, to cast her vote in this historic and exciting election.