HLS in Focus

Professor Jim Greiner just sent me an e-mail about a major project he’s undertaking in the next few months. See the attached document for a description.

Jim says the following:

Students can be involved in various ways with the Election Improvement Project, with credit/incentives consisting of pro bono hours against the HLS 40-hour graduation requirement, cash, or academic credit.

1. As an exit pollster/external poll watcher. HLS students would be part of a team administering an exit poll to voters as they leave polling areas and would document any violations of election law they observe. The time commitment is about 10 hours total, a 1.5-hour training session + a 7-hour shift at the polls + approximately 1.5 hours transportation time to & from the polling location. Students can receive pro bono credit (against the 40-hour graduation requirement) for this time.

2. As a “Precinct Captain” of an exit polling team. Students would lead a group of 3-4 exit pollsters/poll watchers (as described above), with the other members of the team comprised primarily of undergrads from local area colleges. The time commitment is about 12 hours total: 1.5 hour training session + 2 hours meeting with the team and traveling once (a day or two before election day) with its members to the polling location + a 7-hour shift at the polls + approximately 1.5 hours transportation time. Students can receive EITHER pro bono credit OR be paid by the hour at the standard HLS research assistant rate.

3. As a member of the “crisis team.” The crisis team will do as its name suggests, namely, respond to emergencies as they arise. The time commitment is less predictable but generally longer than that of a Precinct Captain. Pro bono credit or by-the-hour payments available.

4. As an organizer. Students can become involved in the construction and implementation of the Project. Pro bono credit and/or academic credit (if the student’s involvement is folded into a paper on election-related issues) is available.