A bill sponsored by Rep. Jeff Steinborn, D-Las Cruces, could help encourage young people to become involved in the political process by allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to be poll workers.
Steinborn worked with Doña Ana County Elections Supervisor Lynn Ellins to draft House Bill 335, which has been approved for consideration in the current 30-day session by the governor. Currently, a person has to be 18 to be a poll worker.
“This is a win-win situation for everyone,” Steinborn said in a news release. “It helps our electoral system recruit more citizens to meet our perpetual shortages during elections while giving our young adults an opportunity to participate in our democracy. It also promotes their civic awareness and involvement.”
The bill would allow the young people to serve as backup poll workers if they receive parent and school approval. They would then be able to staff polls when worker shortages arise – a problem that is common in
“I believe in our young people and I know that there are many students out there with the maturity to take on this assignment and do a great job,” Steinborn said. “I look forward to giving them that opportunity.”