Volunteer on Election Day

The answer to better voting lies with us.

It all started in 2000 with a hanging chad. Then there was a recount and talk of butterfly ballots, and the next thing we knew, we were watching as the Supreme Court stepped in to decide who would be the next President of the United States.

For the following four years, there were discussions about better, computerized systems and smarter ways to vote. But in 2004, there were long lines in Ohio -- in some places, the wait was 8 hours -- and as voters gave up or the polls closed before they could vote, people started to wonder: Just what needs to happen to ensure that the principle of one person, one vote is preserved and protected?

We may all hope for the big solution to emerge through legislation or a really superb new invention, such as a software program that lets people vote on the Internet with perfect accuracy. But until that happens, the answer to better voting lies with us. Individuals can still have a substantial positive effect on the voting system. Volunteers are needed every Election Day to do everything from giving rides to voters to monitoring polling stations. What better way to ensure the sanctity of the most basic right of every citizen than to take that day off from work and volunteer your time for this amazing American rite? Here's what you can do.

• After the 2000 election, the People for the American Way (PFAW) Foundation created an Election Protection Coalition to help guarantee voters' rights at the polls. Coalition volunteers man phones to help people find their polling stations, monitor polling places to ensure that no group faces disenfranchisement or intimidation, and distribute literature to engage Americans in citizenship. Check out People for the American Way at PFAW.org.
  
  
• Sign up to be a poll worker with the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC). Established under the 2002 Help America Vote Act, the EAC will connect you with the voting administrators in your area. If you have foreign language skills, you may be especially helpful. Check out the opportunities at www.eac.gov/poll_worker.asp.
  
  
• Close to Election Day, the people at VolunteerMatch.org set up ElectionMatch.org and list all election-related volunteer opportunities in your area, including providing transportation to the polls.