The Poll Worker Project is now the College of DuPage Civic Leaders Program!
What is the Civic Leaders Program?
The Civic Leaders Program is a co-curricular leadership development program made possible by a grant from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission’s Help America Vote College Program. The program is a 6-week cohort-based experience with a $350 scholarship focused on supporting students in their civic skills and civic identity development.
After program completion, students will be prepared and encouraged to apply for their local count election worker positions in advance of the 2026 general primary on March 17, 2026 and the general election on November 3, 2026. Students will also be encouraged to continue their involvement through the Student Leadership Council's COD Votes student committee.
Our Goals
- Recruit: To encourage college students to assist in election administration as poll workers
- Train: To educate college students to become cognizant of the election process and civic education
- Collaborate: To strengthen the partnerships and civic support network between colleges, state and local governments, and civic-focused non-profit organizations
Civic Leaders Program
To apply to join the Civic Leaders Program you must:
- Be currently enrolled in at least one credit hour
- Be in good standing with the college with a GPA minimum of 2.0
- Complete an application with a reference (Applications are now closed)
$350 scholarships for those who complete all workshops, required reflections, and impact project plan.
Fall 2025 Schedule
All sessions - Wednesdays from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
- Nov. 12 - Session 4: Bridging the Divide: Communication Skills
- Nov. 19 - Session 5: Field Trip to DuPage County Elections Administration Offices
- Dec. 3 - Session 6: The Future of Democracy in America
At the end of the program, students will have created a project plan for campus impact project (can be completed in spring 2026).
By becoming civic leader and potential future election worker, you'll play a crucial role in ensuring fair, accessible, and transparent elections. It's more than just a temporary job and a scholarship opportunity, it's a chance to be at the forefront of democracy. Join us!
College Poll Worker Recruitment Summit
College of DuPage welcomed students, educators and election officials from across the region for the College Poll Worker Recruitment Summit, held in April 2025 on the Glen Ellyn campus. The daylong event brought together professionals from higher education and civic organizations to explore how to better engage college students in the democratic process.
U.S. Rep. Sean Casten attended the summit, underscoring the importance of student involvement in the electoral process and showing support for initiatives that strengthen democratic participation among young voters.
Through a series of panel discussions and interactive roundtables, attendees examined trends in poll worker recruitment, shared strategies for building campus partnerships with local election authorities and identified solutions to common barriers that prevent students from participating in elections.
Hosted by COD Student Life, the summit also offered a valuable platform for students to learn about the critical role of poll workers and how they can actively support fair and accessible elections in their communities.
The COD Poll Worker Project and College Poll Worker Recruitment Summit is funded by the United States Election Assistance Commission’s Help America Vote College Program and the College of DuPage Office of Student Life.
Keynote Speaker
Keara Mendez, Advocacy Director at the Center for Tech and Civic Life
Keara Mendez has a decade of experience in state, local, and federal advocacy related to election administration and appropriations. She currently serves as the Director of Advocacy at the Center for Tech and Civic Life (CTCL) and the Executive Director of the Project for Election Infrastructure (PEI) supporting local elections officials in securing the resources and support needed to safely and securely administer elections. Her team has successfully advocated for more than $500 million in state and federal funds for election administration since 2022. She has supported the launch of several successful projects including Democracy is Good for Business, the Civic Responsibility Project, and Election Hero Day, and served on multiple nonprofit boards in Colorado. She lives in Denver with her husband and Samoyed, Enzo.
Featured Speaker
Commissioner Ben Hovland, U.S. Election Assistance Commission
Ben Hovland was confirmed by unanimous consent of the United States Senate on January 2, 2019 as a member of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) and served as Chairman in 2020 and 2024. His leadership during an unprecedented time for election administration has helped transform the EAC to better support election officials and voters across the United States. In 2020, the EAC administered nearly $825 million in federal grant money and strategically pivoted resources to help election officials respond to the pandemic and enhance election security. Previously, he served as Acting Chief Counsel for the U.S. Senate Committee on Rules and Administration and Deputy General Counsel for the Missouri Secretary of State’s office.
Panel Discussion: Why College Students Make Great Poll Workers
A panel featuring election officials, student leaders, and community organizers discuss the impact of students serving as poll workers.
Moderator: Keara Mendez