They’re not old enough to vote, but some Delaware County poll workers might be teenagers from your local school, writes Zane Irwin for WHYY.

Those voting in person in Tuesday’s municipal election in Delaware County could be handed voting literature by a friendly 15-year-old.

The average poll worker these days is a middle-income white woman 50 to 84, according to the advocacy group Democracy Fund.

E. Teresa Touey is working to change that.  She’s been actively recruiting Interboro School District students as young as 15 to help run local elections, hoping to see a younger demographic participate in the electoral process.

“We’re graying. We’re not recruiting 15–40-year-olds to run for office. So I thought, ‘I want to do something about that,’’’ Touey said.

Her younger students give directions and hand out literature. Students 17 and up set up polling stations, keep records, and guide voters with the digital voting process.

The teens can earn $100 for training and $140 per day.

Many come for the money but stay for the issues. 

Interboro High School student Ishani Harris started working at the polls in 2020.

“Seeing what issues are on the ballot, what issues are at stake… [it] planted a seed in my heart,” 21-year-old Harris said.

Find out more about teenage Delaware County poll workers at WHYY.

This PBS report from five years ago asks the question, “What Would Get Young People to Vote.”