The Tidewater Roots Poll Project: Leaving a Lasting Legacy

Press Release
For Immediate Release

Williamsburg, VA—It started as an idea. It then turned into a state-wide movement. Over the summer, the William & Mary Election Law Society received a generous grant from the federal government to aid local government in recruiting and training young poll workers across Virginia. The project is generously funded by a Help America Vote College Program grant administered by the Election Assistance Commission. Thirteen fellows lead the program and recruit over 200 undergraduates at Virginia schools from six universities to work the polls on Election Day. The project is known as “Tidewater Roots.”

Andrew Bruskin, the Director of Media Publications for the youth empowerment organization All About Business, is one of the thirteen fellows who helps lead the project. His task is to recruit undergraduate students at the College of William & Mary and coordinate different area events leading up to Election Day. These activities include a breakfast, where students will be able to meet and interact with older poll workers and brief informational meetings so undergraduate students will understand what the project is all about. Besides working a full shift at the polls on Election Day, students will also need to attend a training session organized by the local Voter Registrar’s Office. The project is ongoing and Mr. Bruskin is optimistic on its success. “I think it is so great that college students will be able to obtain hands on experience at the polls. We definitely need more college students to participate in the election process and I think it will be great for young people to become involved in this aspect of the political process. I look forward to contributing to the project’s success.”

Alex Grout is a second year law school student at the College of William & Mary Law School. Originally from upstate New York, Alex is one of the main proponents of the Tidewater Roots Poll Project at the law school. “This project is a great way for local college students to give back to their community. The Tidewater Roots Project is an extremely exciting endeavor which will serve to promote civic duty among the younger generation. The law school community is very excited to have the cooperation of the local colleges and registrars to make a lasting impact on each of their communities. Hopefully after participating in the project these students will be inspired and continue to contribute to their community beyond Election Day.”

Upon completion of this project, each fellow will receive $1,300 to help pay for their law school education.

Created in 2005 as a joint venture of the National Center for State Courts and the Law School, the Election Law Program seeks to provide practical assistance to state court judges in the United States who are called upon to resolve difficult election law disputes. The Election Law Society is the student organization created to generate interest in and educate students about this rapidly expanding and extremely important area of practice.

Alex Grout and Andrew Bruskin contributed to this story.

Disclaimer: This material is based on work supported by a grant from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC.) Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the EAC.