EditorAs a political organization, one of our most critical roles is protecting access to the polls for all Portlanders. That’s why we were so alarmed by the Press Herald article earlier this week that Portland is considering closing all but two mainland polling locations this July:
We completely understand that we are in the middle of a pandemic, and that many folks who regularly serve as poll workers might not be comfortable serving this year. However, consolidating Portland’s polling locations down to two on the mainland (and one on Peaks) is entirely unacceptable and will lead to long lines, increased burdens for voters with accessibility challenges, disenfranchising many voters while increasing rather than decreasing health risks due to substantially greater numbers of voters per site.
Will you sign this petition to Portland officials calling on them to keep all of our polling locations open this July?
The City can’t do it alone, though – there is currently a severe shortage of poll workers due to COVID-19. In order for them to keep our polling places open, we need to step up and help recruit poll workers who can staff the polls on July 14 – particularly younger folks who are in good health. Will you sign up to be a poll worker for July 14? This job is paid, and anyone who is 18 or older and who is registered to vote and a resident of the municipality or the county can serve as a poll worker.
Thank you for standing up for democracy!