A Proposal: Rebuilding Trust in Our Elections Through Mandatory Civic Election Participation Duty

It’s like jury duty for elections.

Public confidence in our election system is fragile, and without action, we risk losing even more democratic participation. Many people feel disillusioned, believing their voices don’t matter or that the process is corrupt. To restore trust in our elections, we must create a pool of citizens who understand the process through a new civic participation plan.

A Proposal: Mandatory Civic Duty for Election Participation

I propose a solution: a civic duty similar to jury service, where citizens must volunteer in the election process. Just like jury duty brings everyday people into the justice system, this program would bring Americans into the heart of safeguarding our elections. By participating, volunteers would see firsthand the secure and careful measures that protect our votes.

Benefits to Society

This program would do more than enhance election security. It could strengthen our society in several key ways:

1. Enhanced Civic Engagement: Volunteering in elections allows people to make a real difference in their communities. Like jury duty, it teaches participants about the electoral process and makes them more informed and engaged citizens. It could help renew civic pride, reminding people they play an essential role in keeping democracy strong.
2. Rebuilding Trust in Institutions: Misinformation about election security has eroded trust in our democratic institutions. By involving more citizens in elections, we give them firsthand experience of the safeguards in place. Imagine how much harder it would be for conspiracy theories to thrive if more people knew directly how elections work. Volunteers would become advocates for democracy, sharing their personal experiences.
3. Combatting Election Worker Burnout: Election workers often face overwhelming workloads, limited resources, and harassment. Expanding the pool of volunteers would help lighten these burdens, making elections run more smoothly. More support could reduce burnout and ensure a healthier, more resilient workforce.
4. Counteracting Polarization: Volunteering in elections would unite people from different racial, economic, and political backgrounds to work toward a common goal. This shared experience could help bridge divides and reduce hostility during a time of increasing polarization. It’s harder to demonize someone when you’ve worked alongside them for the good of the community.
5. Fostering Future Leaders: This program could also inspire future civic leaders. Young people would significantly benefit from working in elections, gaining practical knowledge of the system, learning organizational skills, and appreciating public service. These experiences could motivate them to run for office or become more involved in their communities, strengthening our democracy for future generations.

Testing the Program: A Crucible for New Ideas

The Washington, DC metropolitan area — including Arlington and Alexandria in Virginia, Washington, DC, and Montgomery and Prince George’s counties in Maryland — would be ideal for piloting this program. These areas are known for their civic-minded populations and diverse communities, making them perfect for testing new ideas. By starting here, we could gather valuable data on how well the program works, refine it, and show its potential to the rest of the country. If it works here, it can work anywhere.

How the Program Might Work

The mechanics of this program could be modeled after the jury duty system, with several key components:

• Mandatory Civic Duty: All eligible citizens would be randomly selected for election service, much like jury selection. Volunteers would receive advance notice and be required to serve during election periods. There would be exemptions for people with disabilities, caregiving responsibilities, or other valid reasons.
• Training and Preparation: As with any civic duty, election volunteering requires training. Volunteers would attend short training sessions—online or in person—covering the election process, responsibilities, and security measures. This would help volunteers feel prepared and confident and give them the knowledge to counteract false narratives.
• Roles and Responsibilities: Volunteers could take on various roles, such as setting up polling stations, assisting voters with disabilities, managing lines, verifying voter IDs, and conducting voter education workshops. This extra help would ease the burden on election workers and give volunteers a deeper understanding of the electoral process.
• Compensation and Incentives: Volunteers would be compensated, similar to jury duty, to ensure no one is financially penalized for participating. The amount could vary by location and role, but it would ensure financial concerns don’t deter people from participating. Additional incentives like certificates of service, community recognition, or small tax credits could also encourage participation.
• Rotation and Frequency: Citizens would only be required to serve once within a set timeframe — perhaps every five to seven years — so that the program is not overly burdensome while still providing a steady pool of volunteers.
• Volunteer Corps for Emergencies: Beyond Election Day, a standing corps of trained election volunteers could assist during exceptional circumstances, like a pandemic or in areas facing voter suppression. This group could be mobilized as needed, supporting our democratic processes.

Addressing Voting Challenges During Natural Disasters

Climate change has increased the frequency and severity of natural disasters, as we have seen in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Ensuring people can vote becomes even more challenging. A prepared election volunteer force could help keep voting accessible during crises.

• Disaster-Prepared Election Force: A trained corps of volunteers could be deployed to areas affected by natural disasters, setting up emergency polling places or coordinating alternative voting methods like mobile voting centers, extended hours, or mail-in voting assistance. This preparation would ensure people can vote even in the most challenging circumstances.
• Mobile Polling Stations: Volunteers could be trained to operate mobile polling stations, bringing the voting process to areas where polling places are inaccessible. Equipped with generators and portable voting equipment, these mobile units could ensure that displaced people — like those in shelters — still have access to the ballot.
• Voter Assistance in Disaster Zones: Volunteers could also help voters affected by disasters, assisting them in navigating the voting process under extraordinary conditions. This could include helping those who’ve lost vital documents or need assistance finding their polling place. Volunteers could also help people access absentee or mail-in voting options.
• Community Liaison and Communication: Communication is often one of the biggest challenges during disasters. Volunteers could serve as liaisons between election boards and the community, ensuring voters are informed about changes to voting locations, times, and procedures. They could also spread crucial information through local channels to ensure everyone knows how to vote despite disruptions.
• Partnering with Emergency Services: Volunteers could work alongside emergency services and relief organizations like the Red Cross or FEMA to set up voting stations near evacuation centers, making it easier for displaced people to vote without returning to unsafe areas.

Ensuring a Resilient Democracy

As climate change makes natural disasters more frequent and severe, we must ensure that our democratic processes stay strong. A well-trained volunteer force, ready to respond during emergencies, would help ensure that no one loses their right to vote because of a disaster. By combining civic engagement with disaster preparedness, this program would make our elections more resilient in both regular times and during crises.

Conclusion

We need a civic inoculation against misinformation. The more people understand how elections work, the less likely they are to fall for conspiracy theories about fraud. Imagine a country where citizens become their strongest defenders instead of questioning the legitimacy of our elections because they’ve seen it firsthand.

Like our jury system, our election system depends on citizens' active participation. It’s time to rethink how we engage with elections—not just as voters but as stewards of the democratic process. By putting more hands to work and more eyes on the process, we can rebuild trust and secure the future of our democracy.