Staffing Challenges Persist for 2026 U.S. Elections

Election officials warn of potential long lines and congestion if poll worker shortages continue

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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The U.S. Election Assistance Commission has been sounding the alarm that states still need thousands of trained poll workers for the 2026 elections. Donald Palmer, the EAC chairman, says that recruiting new generations of poll workers is a persistent challenge, with about half of localities across the country reporting difficulties in finding enough volunteers. Without adequate staffing, voters may face longer wait times and a less positive experience at the polls.

Why it matters

Ensuring smooth and efficient elections is critical for maintaining public trust in the democratic process. Insufficient poll workers can lead to longer lines, delays, and other operational issues that could discourage voter participation. The 2026 midterm elections will be a key test of the resilience and adaptability of U.S. election systems.

The details

According to Palmer, the EAC supports initiatives like Help America Vote Day to generate interest and enthusiasm for poll worker volunteering. However, the agency acknowledges that recruiting enough workers remains an ongoing challenge, with about half of localities reporting difficulties. Without adequate staffing, polling places may have to consolidate or voters may face longer wait times, which could negatively impact the voting experience. The EAC is working to support state and local election officials in their efforts to recruit and retain poll workers.

  • The EAC will be conducting additional poll worker recruitment efforts later this year, in the summer of 2026.

The players

Donald Palmer

The chairman of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, who previously served as the elections secretary in Virginia.

Terry Gerton

A polling place registrar in Arlington County, Virginia, who participated in the interview with Donald Palmer.

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What they’re saying

“Well, that's a tough issue, Terry. It's hard to exactly know. I think it's because so many of our parents have served as poll workers, right? And that generation is now retiring or moving on. It can be a long day. But what that means is that we need the new generations to come up from behind and start serving and volunteering to be poll workers.”

— Donald Palmer, Chairman, U.S. Election Assistance Commission (Federal News Network)

“If you have three poll workers processing voters and you really need four or five, what that means is people may have to wait longer. And so the best thing to do is to be fully staffed at the polling place, as designed, so people can make this an easy, transparent process with adequate poll workers. That really is the consequence of not having enough — is it's just going to take longer, there'll be more congestion. It would be less of a positive experience for voters.”

— Donald Palmer, Chairman, U.S. Election Assistance Commission (Federal News Network)

What’s next

The EAC will be conducting additional poll worker recruitment efforts later this year, in the summer of 2026, to help states and localities prepare for the upcoming midterm elections.

The takeaway

Ensuring a sufficient number of trained poll workers is a persistent challenge for election officials, but it is critical for maintaining smooth and efficient voting processes. The 2026 midterm elections will test the resilience of U.S. election systems, and the EAC is working to support state and local efforts to recruit and retain poll workers to protect the integrity of the democratic process.