Mayor Freddie O’Connell issued an executive order, No. 48, encouraging city employees to participate in the Election Day Volunteer Poll Worker Program.
This order, applicable to all unclassified Metro employees, would allow participants to volunteer as poll workers if a day of administrative leave is approved by their department.
"Poll officials play a vital role in our democracy by ensuring our elections are accurate and secure, and through this executive order we are doing our part as an employer to support the Davidson County Election Commission as they recruit volunteers to serve in these important roles for our upcoming elections,” Mayor Freddie O’Connell said. “I encourage other employers to support our volunteer poll officials and urge all Nashvillians, including our city workforce, to learn more about serving as a volunteer poll official and supporting our nation’s strong democratic process."
The order allows only for volunteer service as a poll worker on election day and does not allow an employee to take administrative leave to volunteer for a political candidate or campaign.
Davidson County Election Commission Administrator Jeff Roberts added, “Poll officials help ensure voters have a meaningful voice in the democratic system and that elections run smoothly in Davidson County. Citizen participation in the electoral process is imperative for election integrity.”
The order applies to election day for primary, general, runoff, and special elections. Metro Departments would have final say to approve leave requests, so long as the request does not disrupt continuity of service.
The program applies to all “unclassified employees” of Metro, but does not apply to employees of elected officials, Metro Nashville Public Schools, Nashville Electric Service, Metro Nashville Airport Authority, Metro Development and Housing Agency, Metro Transit Authority, Metro Sports Authority, and the Metro Hospital Authority.
The executive order takes effect 90 days after receiving the mayor’s signature, leaving time for the Civil Service Commission, elected officials, and Board of Health to adopt similar policies for their employees before the August election.
To learn more, or to sign up to be a Davidson County Poll Official, visit Apply to be a Poll Official.