Your Democracy Heroes

Meet Your Local Poll Workers

Election workers are integral to the election process. During early voting and on Election Day, they provide essential services such as setting up the voting equipment, checking in voters, processing ballots, assisting voters with special needs, and closing down and securing the voting site at the end of the day. Join us as we spotlight their efforts week-to-week, and meet a few of your local poll workers in North Carolina. They are our Democracy Heroes, who make sure your vote counts.

Susan Garkalns | Randolph County

Supervisor, Judge, and Chief Judge

How Susan Got Her Start

“I retired in 2010 from the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service. This was the beginning of using computers in our county for elections. Many previous workers were not comfortable with this, so I was asked to work because I had knowledge working with computers and felt comfortable doing so.”

Why Serving is Rewarding

“I am especially pleased to see young voters come out, but even more so to see adults of all ages decide to vote for the first time. Making them feel welcomed and valued gives me great hope for the future.”

On Election Security

“I try to reassure people that we have one of the safest systems in the United States. Becoming an election worker would help individuals understand the checks and balances in place in our state. I also believe that it is very challenging but satisfying work.”

Posted: June 11, 2021

Rodney Elmore | Hoke County

Chief Judge

Why Rodney Works in Elections

“To give back to the community and to ensure that everyone has a fair and equal chance to vote.”

On the Importance of Serving

“The most important part of serving is … to ensure that they have enough polling stations open where people can go and place their votes and to see the smiles on their faces.”

Why Others Should Serve

“I feel they will also get a better understanding and won’t so easily go by word of mouth and not have confidence in the system. The boards of elections have a lot of checks and balances in place to ensure we have a fair election.”

Posted: May 28, 2021

Andrew Sowers | Harnett County

Election Worker

Andrew’s Reason for Serving in 2020

“To give back to my community and help our elections run smoothly. I also knew this year would be a higher risk for the demographics that normally work elections, and as a young person, I would be able to help safely.”

Favorite Part of the Job

“I got to meet a lot of neighbors and people in the area, both election volunteers and voters. When I’m out shopping and running errands, I get to recognize them, and it’s made me feel like part of my community.”

On the Elections Process

“Any individual voter will interact with multiple people of different political affiliations, from check-in to getting and inserting their ballot, which makes you feel good and secure in the process.”

Posted: May 14, 2021

How to Be a Democracy Hero

During each election season, county boards of elections search for workers to staff polling places and voting sites. Visit Become an Election Official for more information.

Step Into the Spotlight

Are you an election worker who would like to be featured on this page? Contact your county board of elections for details on how to enter.