Hadassah Focuses on Free & Fair Elections

In local, state, and national elections, it is critical to ensure that all voters have access to free and fair elections. As such, Hadassah has joined the Jewish Partnership for Democracy (JPD) to share the importance of supporting election processes and voting on National Election Day. On Nov. 5, 2024, countless issues that impact voters in every state will be on the ballot, and every voice must be heard.

This year, Hadassah members across the country are taking a hands-on approach to strengthening our democracy by working as election workers in their communities. By promoting safety and accountability at the polls, election workers are powerful leaders in inspiring local participation.

Encouraging fair elections is a core value of Hadassah Greater Atlanta member Simone Wilker, advocacy chair for the Southeastern Region. “I’m proud, I feel like I’m doing my duty,” she says. “I’m representing Hadassah and the Jewish community.”

Wilker became involved as an election worker, through the JPD and as the Hadassah representative to the Jewish Community Relations Council, after moving to Georgia and seeing the importance of strong democratic institutions. “Free and fair elections at this time in our country are even more important than 10 years ago,” says Wilker. Her goal as an election worker is to ensure that every election is fair, no matter how people choose to vote.

Being a poll worker allows Wilker to meaningfully engage with her community and talk with people she might not otherwise meet. At the polls, she reminds each voter to review their ballot so that they can be sure the voting machines will record it correctly. “I want people to know that we are watching out for them … I want them to walk out feeling that what they vote for is going to be counted the way they want it to be.”

To learn more about Hadassah in Atlanta, go to www.hadassah.org/chapter/greater-atlanta