The Michigan Department of State is encouraging anyone interested in serving as an election worker to sign up to be part of Michigan’s Democracy MVP campaign in celebration of National Poll Worker Recruitment Day, which was Tuesday.

With the coronavirus pandemic, the ranks of election workers have grown thin, as many who normally would step forward are older and considered more at risk if they contract the disease. So the Nov. 3 vote could use a number of younger people willing to staff the polls and handle other election duties.

With two months to go, the department has recruited more than 11,000 people interested in working elections since launching the program in April.

“Democracy is a team sport, and now more than ever we need people to get in the game,” Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said. “Election workers are our most valuable players, and the number of people we’ve already had sign up indicates how eager Michiganders are to participate in our democracy and help us ensure a safe, successful election in November.”

All registered voters — and even 16- and 17-year-old Michigan residents — are eligible to serve and will be paid for their time.

A total of 11,490 people from all 83 counties have signed up to serve as election workers so far, many having already served in the Aug. 4 statewide primary. In addition to directing recruits to counties and jurisdictions that request support for localized training, MDOS is training workers as reserves to be deployed throughout the state if needed on Election Day in November. Workers are needed both to process the massive volume of absentee ballots expected in the election, as well as ensure safe, secure in-person voting for those who head to the polls.

Organizations, teams, businesses and community leaders looking to participate in this recruitment effort and help spread the word should email DemocracyMVP@Michigan.gov to connect with MDOS or follow the campaign on social media @DemocracyMVP on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

To sign up as a poll worker, go to Michigan.gov/DemocracyMVP. Michiganders 18 and older who are not registered to vote can do so at Michigan.gov/Vote before signing up.