Social Workers as Poll Workers: Experiences in the 2020 and 2021 Elections

Authors

  • Shannon R. Lane Yeshiva University
  • Chrisann Newransky Adelphi University
  • Lucinda Acquay-Doyle International House - NYC
  • Francis Furmanek Sacred Heart University
  • Melissa Keilty University of Connecticut
  • Lusta Phanord Yeshiva University
  • Joanne Quinn-Beers Adelphi University
  • Joyce Roberson-Steele Yeshiva University

Keywords:

political social work, elections administration, community action

Abstract

As social workers committed to political justice and called to political action, we reflect on our own experiences as poll workers in the 2020 and 2021 elections. We encourage social workers at all levels to understand the process and consider action as poll workers. In discussing our personal journeys to becoming a poll worker, training, and working on Election Day, we reflect on the challenges and benefits to us as individuals. We discuss the connection between poll working and social work as well as benefits to our system by the involvement of social workers in election administration. We end with a call to action for others to participate in poll work as well as the need for relevant research.

Author Biographies

Shannon R. Lane, Yeshiva University

Shannon R. Lane, MSW, PhD (she/her) is Associate Professor, Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Yeshiva University, New York, NY (shannon.lane@yu.edu).

Chrisann Newransky, Adelphi University

Chrisann Newransky, MSW, PhD (she/her) is Associate Professor, School of Social Work, Adelphi University, Garden City, NY (cnewransky@adelphi.edu).

Lucinda Acquay-Doyle, International House - NYC

Lucinda Acquaye-Doyle, PhD (she/her) is Director of Programs and Resident Life, International House - NYC, New York, NY (l.acquayedoyle@gmail.com).

Francis Furmanek, Sacred Heart University

Francis Furmanek, LCSW (they/them) is Doctoral Candidate and Adjunct Instructor, School of Social Work, Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT (furmanekf@mail.sacredheart.edu).

Melissa Keilty, University of Connecticut

Melissa Keilty, MSW, LMSW is Graduate, University of Connecticut, Hartford, CT (melissa.keilty.123@gmail.com).

Lusta Phanord, Yeshiva University

Lusta Phanord (she/her) is PhD Student, Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Yeshiva University, New York, NY (phanord@mail.yu.edu).

Joanne Quinn-Beers, Adelphi University

Joanne Quinn-Beers, DSW, LCSW (she/her) is Clinical Associate Professor, School of Social Work, Adelphi University, Garden City, NY (quinnbeers@adelphi.edu).

Joyce Roberson-Steele, Yeshiva University

Joyce Roberson-Steele, PhD, LMSW, CASAC-T is Practicum Program Coordinator, Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Yeshiva University, New York, NY (joyce.roberson-steele@yu.edu).

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Published

2025-06-30

How to Cite

Lane, S. R., Newransky, C., Acquay-Doyle, L., Furmanek, F., Keilty, M., Phanord, L., Quinn-Beers, J., & Roberson-Steele, J. (2025). Social Workers as Poll Workers: Experiences in the 2020 and 2021 Elections. Reflections: Narratives of Professional Helping, 31(2), 11–27. Retrieved from https://reflectionsnarrativesofprofessionalhelping.org/index.php/Reflections/article/view/2089

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Section

General Submissions