Left-wing Hollywood stars have received the memo and the memo is telling them to mobilize Americans to sign up as poll workers for Election Day.
A slew of celebrities including A-list stars Charlize Theron, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Mark Ruffalo are urging people to sign up to become poll workers on November 3 in order to combat the personnel shortage brought on by the coronavirus. Another reason: the Democratic Party’s concerns about the possibility of voter suppression.
“Voter suppression is a very real problem. You can change that!” Ozark star Jason Bateman tweeted.
“Who suffers when polling places have half the employees they need? Underserved communities, mostly,” Key & Peele actor Keegan Michael Key tweeted.
The celebrity push comes from a recruitment organization called Power the Polls, which is teaming up with large companies like retailer Old Navy to give their employees paid time off on Election Day to serve as poll workers. The group is also working with Michelle Obama’s When We All Vote initiative, which is pushing voter registration among young people as well as vote by mail.
This year, we’re facing a shortage of poll workers just weeks before Election Day. On National Poll Worker Recruitment Day, I hope you’ll sign up to #WorkThePolls in your community if you can.
Get started with @WhenWeAllVote and @PowerThePolls today at https://t.co/RNbVrNb0Ff. pic.twitter.com/A7OkHYXsmk
— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) September 1, 2020
Some conservative groups are upping the ante by encouraging their followers to sign up. The Heritage Foundation has organized its own initiative, urging people to give their time as a poll workers.
The differences between a poll worker and a poll watcher.
Sign up today! https://t.co/mn5lSgmc6R pic.twitter.com/5nXfiUFTvS
— Heritage Action (@Heritage_Action) September 1, 2020
Oscar-winner Charlize Theron urged people 16 years old and over to serve as poll workers. “You’ll be a hero in your community by protecting the right to vote for your neighbors,” she tweeted.
If we don’t recruit more people, many polling locations will close! Please help reach our goal of signing up 250,000 poll workers. You’ll be a hero in your community by protecting the right to vote for your neighbors. Join the movement and be a #pollhero today!
— Charlize Theron (@CharlizeAfrica) September 4, 2020
In a video message, pop star Billie Eilish warned that a poll worker shortage could lead to people being “denied the right to vote.”
Thank you @billieeilish for amplifying this important work!
Young people are leading the charge to staff polling places and defend democracy. You can keep the momentum going by heading to https://t.co/kTI9EGJuBs NOW to become a poll worker!
✨Get paid to protect our future✨ pic.twitter.com/4loMaeaKKf
— Power the Polls (@PowerThePolls) September 2, 2020
Veep star Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who recently hosted the final night of the Democratic National Convention, sounded the alarm, saying, “Without poll workers, polling locations close.”
It's simple.
Without poll workers, polling locations close. That means your community might miss the chance to vote.
As long as you're 16, you can be a poll worker. Guess what – you'll even get paid to do it!
Be a part of the movement & sign up today:
https://t.co/utrRVTBdac pic.twitter.com/a1lsb1LVk1— Julia Louis-Dreyfus (@OfficialJLD) September 3, 2020
Jason Bateman urged people to become a “#PollHero.” “Voter suppression is a very real problem. You can change that!” he tweeted.
Voter suppression is a very real problem. You can change that!
Save the country by becoming a #PollHero now: https://t.co/FY6NuYeejWhttps://t.co/6jT6g2B7Zy
— Jason Bateman (@batemanjason) September 7, 2020
Captain America star Chris Evans added his voice to the mix: “If you want to protect the vote this year, here’s your chance to be a #PollHero.”
This week @PowerThePolls signed up 250k++ new poll workers for Nov! That's amazing but I bet we can do even better!
If you want to protect the vote this year, here's your chance to be a #PollHero. 💪🏼 https://t.co/Q8c0gPh4Td https://t.co/VYBl52tP7O
— Chris Evans (@ChrisEvans) September 4, 2020
Conan sidekick Andy Richter called on anyone who wants “to do something about our current political nightmare.”
It's pretty wild there's a national poll worker shortage when it's a PAID gig. Without poll workers, fewer votes are cast and counted.
If you're over 16 and want to do something about our current political nightmare, #DemocracyIsHiring.https://t.co/7ebd6xBpHD pic.twitter.com/g0COOPEiDG
— Andy Richter (@AndyRichter) September 1, 2020
Jimmy Kimmel also put his weight behind the celebrity push.
One thing we can do beyond “just” voting is work the polls! Anyone 16+ can get involved in this historic election as a PAID poll worker
Sign up today because #DemocracyIsHiring: https://t.co/gEDDWMISg2 https://t.co/seJetu4GNt
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) September 1, 2020
Keegan Michael Key tweeted: “Who suffers when polling places have half the employees they need? Underserved communities, mostly… You’re the difference between a good Election Day and a nightmare.”
Who suffers when polling places have half the employees they need? Underserved communities, mostly. ⠀
⠀
That's why I want you to become a paid poll worker. You're the difference between a good Election Day and a nightmare. https://t.co/cITJKTFk0L https://t.co/cl1ka5nuxG— Keegan-Michael Key (@KeeganMKey) September 6, 2020
Mom star Alison Janney also threw her support behind the push.
Don’t let your local polling place close! If you’re over 16, sign up TODAY to be a poll worker at https://t.co/Vl8r9Nf2TK & share!
You not only get paid for your heroic work, but you’ll help end the national poll worker shortage we’re facing in 2020. Everyone gets free PPE too. pic.twitter.com/afui1rTJdX
— Allison Janney (@AllisonBJanney) September 3, 2020
Debra Messing urged people to sign up as poll workers in Detroit.
Poll Worker Recruitment !!! DETROIT BRANCH NAACP | Established 1912 #michiganprimary https://t.co/7XoaugCM9i
— Debra Messing✍🏻 (@DebraMessing) September 1, 2020
Seinfeld star Jason Alexander tweeted: “This year’s election has the power to change the course of America forever.”
This year’s election has the power to change the course of America forever.@PowerThePolls already reached 250k sign ups this week, but we can do better.
Sign up to be a #PollHero https://t.co/KBYJeTaoj2 https://t.co/itrNX8Ke4A
— jason alexander (@IJasonAlexander) September 4, 2020
Issa Rae, the star of HBO’s Insecure, tweeted that more young poll workers are needed “to keep our elders safe and to ensure a fair election.”
In 2018, 58% of poll workers were 61+. To keep our elders safe and to ensure a fair election, we need more young volunteers to sign up as poll workers! Sign up at: https://t.co/VFh889RHVs #WorkThatPoll pic.twitter.com/Q2KZj7NS13
— Issa Rae (@IssaRae) September 1, 2020
Filmmaker and Los Angeles resident Ava DuVernay responded to Rae’ tweet, saying that she has signed up to be a poll worker.
I signed up to be a poll worker. Consider doing the same. We have to make sure that these polls are staffed and safe and ready to rock. #WorkThatPoll https://t.co/5UeYj5Wnn1
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) September 2, 2020
Singer Meghan Trainor also encouraged her fans to sign up.
Don’t let your local polling places close! If you’re over 16, you are able to be a poll worker this November. Sign up today at https://t.co/nzqu1jxaLv and don’t forget to spread the word❤️ #PollHero pic.twitter.com/vu4HMOBAdR
— Meghan Trainor (@Meghan_Trainor) September 3, 2020
Former NFL star and TV personality Terry Crews also urged people to sign up: “We’ve got 40 days to recruit poll workers all across America. More poll workers means shorter lines and less confusion, so let’s fill those spots!”
#DemocracyisHiring, people! We've got 40 days to recruit poll workers all across America. More poll workers means shorter lines and less confusion, so let's fill those spots!
Sign up to become a poll worker: https://t.co/F3NHAJujcP https://t.co/kUD3UzOCbJ
— terry crews (@terrycrews) September 3, 2020
Actress Piper Perabo warned of “long lines” and “closed polling locations” unless people sign up.
Long lines & closed polling locations await us in November if we don't act NOW & recruit poll workers.
If you're over 16, you're eligible to #WorkThePolls.
Sign up today and get paid to make sure EVERYONE can exercise their right to vote on Nov. 3: https://t.co/59simjzh8l pic.twitter.com/4yVlCK8DHi
— Piper Perabo Vote Early (@PiperPerabo) September 1, 2020
Comedian David Cross tweeted: “Don’t bitch about democracy dying if you aren’t going to get off your ass and protect it.”
Don't bitch about democracy dying if you aren't going to get off your ass and protect it.
Want to make a difference? Fill one of the 250K+ vacant poll worker slots we need to keep polling places open on 11/3. https://t.co/BzA1XF17LO https://t.co/Kd3AlsPGOS
— david cross✍ (@davidcrosss) September 1, 2020
Actor Nick Offerman joked: “Becoming a poll worker is a great way to show everyone you aren’t a butthole.”
When our country needs us, we can do our part to organize, donate, volunteer and vote, or we can be buttholes.
Becoming a poll worker is a great way to show everyone you aren't a butthole. #WorkthePoll https://t.co/8BQojY2Psf https://t.co/0YgmBLI1Jq
— Nick Offerman (@Nick_Offerman) September 1, 2020
Other stars pushing for people to serve as poll workers include rocker Peter Frampton, comedian Nick Kroll, Sophia Bush, Alison Brie, Joel McHale, and The Good Doctor star Hill Hale.
If you're 16+, and want to help this Nov, sign up to be a poll worker!! You can get paid + PPE. Not to mention, you'll help protect our democracy.
Be a #PollHero now: https://t.co/mLnFsSt2tO https://t.co/M3nFtXDQpr
— Peter Frampton (@peterframpton) September 5, 2020
We need 250K poll workers so everyone gets a chance to vote on Election Day – no long lines or closed locations.
Sign up with @PowerthePolls to be a paid poll worker this November https://t.co/PD64SQZGT9 https://t.co/6Tw0mkCiPi
— nick kroll (@nickkroll) September 1, 2020
Don’t let your local polling place close! If you’re over 16, sign up TODAY to be a poll worker at https://t.co/379fFEFPVi & share!
You not only get paid for your heroic work, but you’ll help end the national poll… https://t.co/kTPAOymo8Z
— Alison Brie (@alisonbrie) September 2, 2020
Wondering what you can do to help secure our election? Join me as #PollWorker!
Without enough poll workers, polling places close & voters are unable to make their voices heard on #ElectionDay.@WhenWeAllVote + @PowerThePolls Head to https://t.co/I2KcTIXl9s #PowerthePolls ✊🇺🇸♥️ pic.twitter.com/iC163Qv9WN
— Sophia Bush (@SophiaBush) September 2, 2020
If you want make sure every vote counts this Nov AND get paid to help then sign up to be a poll worker & and again…get PAID!!(must be 16+)
#WorkThePolls: https://t.co/JC9Ar9t8cj https://t.co/RwERkrReNn— Joel McHale (@joelmchale) September 3, 2020
Calling all future poll workers!! If you're 16+ & want to do your part in this election, here's your chance! Sign up to be a PAID poll worker & help protect our democracy.
Be a #PollHero ✊🏾: https://t.co/CWHy2skbnd https://t.co/7L5XI2Dfpe
— Hill Harper (@hillharper) September 6, 2020
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