Lincoln High students work Philadelphia polls on Election Day

More than 100 students from Lincoln High School in Mayfair arrived at the school's polling place at 6 a.m. on Election Day to serve as poll workers. The students took over the site, replacing the usual school day with a shift that included checking voter registrations and distributing "I Voted" stickers. The group included current students and alumni who returned for the day. The effort has grown from a small pilot program into a large-scale school event.

The youth poll worker program started in 2022 with eight students who have learning disabilities. Local ward chairs recruited the students because they struggled to find enough workers as pandemic restrictions lifted. That first day was difficult, with long hours in a room without air conditioning. Teacher Sarah Caswell led the group and said she vowed to never repeat the experience. However, student Jibril Graves asked to work the next election, and the program continued. The number of participants grew to 35 for the 2024 primary election and has since tripled.

Caswell, a science and special education teacher, leads the workers and emphasizes inclusivity. She noted that students cover a wide range of abilities, grades, languages, cultures, and political affiliations. During the regular school day, students are often separated by academic level or support needs, such as honors, Advanced Placement, or special education tracks. When working the polls, these distinctions disappear. "When they come here, they’re just students, they’re just children, and they’re all working together at a table accomplishing a job," Caswell said.

The role provides students with a $280 paycheck and a supervised social activity. The wages help many students pay for senior dues and prom outfits. Caswell said the opportunity has become a motivator for attendance and behavior at the school. "I’m not spending my day off with clowns, that’s what I tell them," she said. Each worker has a specific duty, and no one is limited by their ability level.

Caswell hopes the model will expand beyond Lincoln High School. She believes getting teens involved in elections helps them feel comfortable in political spaces. She argued that many students feel disenfranchised because polling places often feel unwelcoming to younger people. "I think many students feel very disenfranchised because these spaces don’t feel welcoming when you walk in and it’s all 80-year-olds in there," she said.

The students finished their shifts on Election Day. The program is now a established tradition at the school. Caswell said the group has become ingrained in the school culture.