MAYVILLE, N.Y. — Linda Seleen, 77, has been an election poll worker for a little more than a decade, one of thousands of older adults found at sites across New York state.

"I enjoy talking to the people that come in," said Seleen. "I feel like I'm contributing an important role in the community."

What You Need To Know

  • Early voting across the state is in full swing

  • Poll workers are primarily made up of older adults 

  • Local Board of Election leaders are reworking to recruit and retain a new generation of workers

Seleen is part of a bipartisan team of other older adults who help set up the voting machines and get ballot materials ready.

"We've all lead business lives or outside lives that have helped us to acquire experiences that suit us well for the kind of work we do at the polls," said Seleen.

Seleen says despite that, the time is now to continue recruiting a new generation of poll workers.

"It's happening. We're getting a few new, young faces every year," said Seleen. "It helps when there are younger people at the top because they're able to better recruit, I think."

While state Board of Election leaders say they don't keep demographic information about their poll workers, local county boards are feeling the need.

"[The] state's going to have a crisis on their hands. The next generation coming up behind our current workers doesn't seem to have that same desire to come out and help us," said Brian Abram, (R) election commissioner, Chautauqua County.

Which is why he's thankful for the older workers.

"Without them, we couldn't conduct the elections we do here in New York state," said Abram. "It's a very labor intensive and we need a lot of individuals. So, thank goodness they do step up and actually help us out every year."

To help recruit and retain poll workers, county boards continue to advertise and go into the schools to invite students to shadow an older worker.

"They know what they're doing. They've done this for many years. They enjoy it as well. It gives them something to do and we appreciate that. We want them back," said Luz Torres (D), election commissioner, Chautauqua County.

Like Seleen, who encourages others to give it a try.

"It's so rewarding," said Seleen. "It feels really good at the end of the day to know that you have helped facilitate the voting process."