On Election Day, November 5, 2024, a group of students from Oakwood’s Campaigns and Elections in the United States course participated as election workers through a special program offered by the state of California. Below, Beau ‘26, Alonzo ‘25, Maddie ‘26, Jorge ‘26, and Laly ‘25 share their perspectives and experiences.
What inspired you to volunteer as a student election worker?
Beau: I’ve always wanted to help people, but I wasn’t sure which avenue to take. I became inspired to get involved when I saw the broad range of implications that politics could have on people’s lives. I realized that it can make a real difference in the community. When Teddy brought up the opportunity to work at the polls, it was my first step toward seeing our democracy up close and getting involved in that system.
Alonzo: When Teddy mentioned the opportunity, the main draw was that it got me out of school—and there was a stipend. But it turned out to be super interesting. I was impressed by how secure the election process is. It’s watertight. There’s so much attention to detail, and seeing how everything works reassured me about the validity of the election system, especially with all the misinformation. I was proud to have played a part in the process.
Maddie: My family has always been involved in elections, usually through canvassing. This year, I wanted to do something on my own and felt that being a poll worker would be a unique experience. It was fascinating to learn how elections are run—it opened my eyes and gave me a new appreciation for the process.
Laly: I heard about the opportunity from Zach (Zachary Ramirez, English Teacher) and it was completely new to me. It seemed cool to be part of the election process. Even though it was a long day, I bonded with the people I worked with and saw how everything—like securing ballots—works behind the scenes.
Jorge: I learned about it from Zach, too. I thought it would be a great way to help out the community and earn community service hours. I also wanted to see the election process firsthand since I’ll be voting soon and wanted to know what to expect.
How did it feel knowing you played an active role in the democratic process? What did you enjoy most about it?
Beau: It was rewarding. Even though the hours were long and it was tiring, I felt satisfied knowing that I was part of something bigger—we were helping with democracy, which is what this country is built on. What I enjoyed most was reaching across partisan lines. People might not share the same political views, but we are all participating in this process and want what we think is best for our country. I enjoyed seeing everyone excited to vote and participate in democracy.
“The truth is, we care about our communities, and we want to get involved and make a difference.” —Beau ’26
Maddie: My favorite part was seeing how committed people were to voting, even when they had to wait hours in line. I loved hearing people’s stories, and the excitement of first-time voters was especially contagious. It was also fascinating to hear people’s opinions—even when they were different from my own. It opened my eyes to the importance of voting and how passionate people are about having their voices heard.
Alonzo: All of my coworkers were super interesting, and I enjoyed working with them. There were around ten languages spoken between us—it was such a diverse group of people. There was also a selfie station, which was fun, and people were enthusiastic about being there.
Jorge: I had a similar experience to Alonzo. My team was very diverse. It was interesting to see people from different backgrounds coming together to ensure the election ran smoothly.
Laly: My coworkers were mentors to me. They offered guidance during difficult moments when voters walked in upset or frustrated. Their support helped me understand how to handle these situations. Overall, I enjoyed the experience and learned so much about how voting works.
What insights did you gain about the importance of civic engagement? Would you want to do something like this again in the future?
Alonzo: Seeing the election process firsthand was eye-opening. Elections are how politicians derive their power, and it was heartening to see just how secure and well-run this operation is across the county. In school, we are studying campaigns, elections, and checks and balances, emphasizing the idea that a politician’s power is rooted in free and fair elections. This experience brought those lessons to life.
Beau: Being part of this election process made me more interested in politics. Studying political science is compelling because politics brings people together. Although there were a few negative experiences at the polling centers, the majority of people were happy to cast their ballot and participate in their civic duty. One woman who came to vote told me she had been a poll worker in the 1940s. It was fascinating to hear her story and learn about generations of civic duty.
“In school, we are studying campaigns, elections, and checks and balances, emphasizing the idea that a politician’s power is rooted in free and fair elections. This experience brought those lessons to life.” —Alonzo ’25
What advice would you give to other students interested in getting involved in elections or civic engagement?
Alonzo, Beau, Laly, Maddie, and Jorge: Do it!
Alonzo: I’d recommend it. For students, the city of Los Angeles has a really robust neighborhood council system. I’m a youth representative on a neighborhood council, and it’s a great way to engage with county and city government.
Maddie: People get really excited to see young people working at polling centers. They want to see a new generation getting involved. This is a great way to contribute to the community and show that we want to engage and make a difference.
Laly: An older couple complimented my work at the polling center and told me they planned to contact the county to say I had done a great job. I felt proud to have been a part of it.
Maddie: Exactly! There was a 101-year-old voter who waited in a very long line, walked in, and cast their ballot. I thought that was so special.
Beau: You often hear news stories claiming that Gen Z isn’t engaged in politics, but that creates a false narrative. The truth is, we care about our communities, and we want to get involved and make a difference.
