Elections

July 16, 2026

Election Heroes
The Public Servants Behind Every Ballot

By Jeanette Senecal and Adam Ambrogi

Every election relies on public servants willing to take on one of the most important, and increasingly demanding, jobs in American democracy.

It is no surprise that many electionline readers are election officials themselves.  You arrive before dawn to prepare polling places. You answer voters’ questions with patience, test voting equipment, verify signatures, train poll workers, process registrations, and count ballots long after election headlines have faded. You adapt to changing election laws, manage increasingly complex election cycles, and remain steadfast in your commitment to serving every eligible voter.

Yet despite this essential role in election administration, election officials and poll workers are often known only when something goes wrong. Too rarely do we pause to recognize the extraordinary work that allows millions of Americans to vote safely, securely, and with confidence.