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Those planning on becoming election workers for the County of Los Angeles will be required to submit their applications early on before being approved for training, but most importantly, must submit digital proof of their COVID vaccines.
There are several options on how to help by becoming an election worker in the 2022 midterms. However, as soon as applications log in, they are asked whether they are “fully vaccinated.” Those who click “yes” are promptly taken to a portal where their personal information is required, including proof of COVID vaccines.
Those who select ‘no’ are hit with the following message: “If you are not fully vaccinated or did not attach a copy of your vaccination card, you will not be able to apply.”
El American has reached out to the county’s Registrar’s Office asking if this was a county decision or statewide guidance from the Democratic Governor or Department of Health, and if they would allow exemptions from people who have a religious or medical condition as a reason for not being vaccinated.
The county however did not answer these questions, only stating: “community election workers are volunteers and under the vaccination policy adopted by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.”
El American checked the San Francisco and San Diego County election worker websites to see if other large counties in California are doing the same but could not find the vaccine requirement to work the 2022 midterm elections.
We emailed the City again asking for clarification on exemptions, as the website does not allow exemption forms to be submitted, even if cleared by a medical professional.
At this point, it seems only fully vaccinated volunteers will be allowed to work all LA County election sites, raising the question of whether this practice is discriminatory based on a residents’ health status.
Anthony Cabassa is a Field Correspondent with El American. Before that he did Independent Journalism for 3+ years informing the Hispanic/Latino community with bilingual news updates and video podcasts. He is also a U.S. Veteran of over 10 years in the Coast Guard. He lives in Los Angeles, CA with his wife and 3 children // Anthony Cabassa es Corresponsal de Campo de El American. Antes hizo periodismo independiente durante más de 3 años informando a la comunidad hispana con información bilingüe y pódcasts. También es un veterano de más de 10 años en el Ejército Americano. Vive en Los Ángeles, California, con su esposa y sus tres hijos.