Paris, Tenn.–You may have noticed the poll workers at the Henry County Elections Commission appear a lot younger than what we’re used to. That’s because they are.
The state earlier this year launched a campaign to recruit poll workers and many of the 3,000 who signed up have been teenagers.
The Henry County Elections office has received statewide attention for its use of teenage poll workers, including an article and radio piece on the NPR station in Nashville.
Alayna Fuson is 16 and is one of the poll workers guiding voters through their voting experience during the early voting period, which is different than at any other time because of the COVID-19 protocols in place. Fuson of Paris isn’t old enough to vote herself, but she can be a poll worker due to a new law that lowered the minimum age to serve to 16.
Henry County Elections Commission Administrator DeLaina Green noted that one-third of those working as poll workers locally are 18 or younger.
“We have a real young bunch working for us this year and that has gotten a lot of attention,” Green said.
Green noted that poll workers get paid, which was a good incentive for the younger crowd. She also noted that many of the poll workers recruited locally are acquainted with her daughter Callie, who is 17, who also is working for the elections commission during early voting.
Tennessee Elections Coordinator Mark Goins said he hopes the young people stay on board for future elections and stay motivated to vote themselves.
Photo: Callie Green and Alayna Fuson on the job at the Elections Commission.