2017 Election Ambassador Corps
Teacher FAQ and Program Timeline
Program Registration and Class Trainings
What does a “training session” look like?
“Training sessions” include an overview of why voting matters and the upcoming election (offices on the
ballot and referendums, if applicable), critical voting procedures and the key responsibilities of an Election
Ambassador. The discussion and Prezi presentation generally take about 45 minutes; however, we’re
happy to elaborate more on certain sections if additional time is available.
Why is the Ambassador Corps presented to students in whole classes?
We’ve observed this is a learning exercise best experienced with classroom peers. Preparing whole classes
for Election Day gives us a better opportunity to arrange suitable teams of students from the same school
and nearby neighborhoods. Further, the training session on its own should be interesting and instructive
even for the students who don’t end up volunteering.
How do students register?
We collect student names, home addresses and contact information during training sessions in the event
students decide to participate on May 16. We’ve found this is helpful so we can begin determining
possible team assignments as soon as possible. The permission slips also distributed during training
sessions must be returned to teachers by Friday, May 5. Students confirm their participation by
returning this form.
What if only a few students from my class decide to participate?
We understand some students may have commitments on Election Day; others might just be less inclined
to spend a few hours out at the polls. If only a few students decide to serve as Ambassadors on May 16,
that works fine. We hope the classroom training is worthwhile on its own and possibly stokes some future
interest in other students. For those who do register, we work with them to create team and polling place
assignments with which they’re comfortable.
What do I need to do to prepare my students?
We try to run through the most critical information students should know during the training and provide
additional resources to them afterwards via email. No additional instruction is required on your end, nor
will you have to provide any of the materials. (Participating students receive hard copy materials before
Election Day.)
Email Prep! Because we rely on email to provide students with instructions and resources, please
encourage them to create an email address before training if they don’t already have one. For some, this
could be a good opportunity to get into the habit of checking email on a regular basis!
Committee of Seventy | 123 South Broad St., Suite 1800 | Philadelphia, PA 19109 | www.seventy.org
Can this count towards students’ volunteer service requirement or as a capstone
project?
We recommend checking the policy at your school regarding service learning or other credit students’
could receive from serving as an Election Ambassador. Not surprisingly, we’ve found significantly higher
participation rates with students seeking service learning hours or who are eligible for extra credit.
Sometimes the extra nudge helps.
Organizing Students for Election Day
How are students assigned to teams and locations to visit on Election Day?
Training students in whole classes gives us a better opportunity to determine teams of students from the
same school and who live in nearby neighborhoods. The number of students per team is typically
between three and five, but larger teams can be organized if necessary. Student team and polling place
assignments are shared with students and teachers at least a week before Election Day. We emphasize
repeatedly to students that they must feel comfortable with their team and assigned neighborhood. If
adjustments are necessary, we accommodate them.
If larger teams are necessary due to scheduling restrictions (e.g., class is in session on May 16), chaperone
requirements or other reasons, we’re happy to discuss special arrangements.
How are the student teams coordinated and who supervises them on Election Day?
By May 16, student teams are set, polling places are assigned and students are prepared with the
materials they need. Seventy staff coordinates these assignments and shares them with students and
teachers prior to the election.
Unless special arrangements are made, students are instructed to determine with their teammates where
to meet on Election Day. Although wards can have 10-50 voting divisions (each with their own set of poll
workers and voting machines), we advise students to visit only a handful of locations during their shift in
their assigned ward. The standard shift is 9:00 a.m. to noon, but this is flexible. For schools with class
session on Election Day, students may visit polls for a shorter period during class time or after school.
Seventy does not coordinate chaperones on Election Day. We stress to students that they’ll be
responsible for checking in with our staff when they begin their shift and checking out when they’re
finished. During the intervening time, they’re expected to stay together in their team and perform in a
manner that reflects well on the Committee of Seventy, their school and their community.
However, we’re also happy to identify polling sites at or nearby the school if teachers (or other
chaperones) wish to stay with their students during their shift on Election Day.
What type of materials do students need and how do they get them?
At training sessions, we distribute the following:

A one-page summary of the Election Ambassador Corps and Election Innovation Challenge

A permission slip for students and parents/guardians

The Election and Voting Reform Survey students administer on Election Day

An envelope for returning student permission slips
Committee of Seventy | 123 South Broad St., Suite 1800 | Philadelphia, PA 19109 | www.seventy.org
For students who have confirmed their participation by completing and returning the permission slip,
additional materials are delivered to schools the week before Election Day:

Election Ambassador Handbook

Committee of Seventy lanyard and Election Ambassador insert

A list of polling places in the assigned ward
Election Day!
What exactly would my students be doing on May 16?
Each student team will meet on Election Day and visit at least one polling site in their assigned ward.
Students are unable to enter the polling place due to state law (unless they are voting) but can position
themselves nearby the entrance. Here, they have three tasks: 1) administer the Election and Voting
Reform Survey to voters as they exit the polling site; 2) record images of partisan or campaign literature
(flyers, posters, etc.) they encounter; and 3) help address questions from voters if they come up.
Election law is complex. How can students help voters on Election Day?
Many of the same issues and questions come up every election: I’m not sure if this is my polling place? I’m
an independent voter – am I allowed to vote today? What’s this ballot question all about?
The handbook provided to students has answers to most of the questions that come up on Election Day.
For more complicated issues or problems, it has contact information for the proper authorities. Students
are urged to study the handbook as a reference, ready to locate the relevant section if the need arises. An
online self-assessment will also be provided to students the week before Election Day if they wish to quiz
themselves. If you’d like to make this quiz part of your regular course or provide extra credit for students
who take it, we can provide their scores.
How can students help voters when they’re prohibited from entering the actual polling
place?
The Committee of Seventy has had an Election Day presence in Philadelphia since 1905. Consequently,
many people at the polls will recognize the Seventy logo on the students’ lanyards, which helps signal that
they’re there in a nonpartisan capacity and to help. This is part of the reason why it’s important that
Ambassadors position themselves close to the entrance/exit of a polling place. A voter may also reveal an
issue they just encountered when speaking to Ambassadors about the Election and Voting Reform survey
(which should be administered to exiting voters).
Is there a check to ensure registered students serve in the program?
Student teams are instructed to check in with Seventy staff at the beginning of their shift and check out
when they’re finished. We track this attendance in real-time on Election Day and can share with you via
Google spreadsheet. Other options for teachers to verify participation could include asking students to
bring samples of campaign literature or sharing pictures from the day.
Committee of Seventy | 123 South Broad St., Suite 1800 | Philadelphia, PA 19109 | www.seventy.org
Other Questions
How are results of the Election and Voting Survey collected?
After students tally the responses (Yes/No/Uncertain) they received for each question on paper, we send
them an online form via email in which they can submit their results. Each student is asked to submit their
numbers.
Can students serve as an Ambassador and volunteer with a candidate’s campaign?
Students are welcome to work with a candidate campaign on Election Day if they wish; however, any
partisan volunteering must be done outside of the time committed to serving as an Election Ambassador.
All work while volunteering with Seventy must be strictly nonpartisan.
Do students have to do both the Election Ambassador Corps and Election Innovation
Challenge?
No. Students are encouraged to do both, but are welcome to do one or the other. Learn more about both
programs at seventy.org.
Program Timeline
Monday, April 10  First day Seventy staff are available to visit schools to provide Ambassador
training
Thursday, May 4  Last day for Ambassador training in schools
Friday, May 5  Student permission slips due to teachers
Monday, May 8 to  Student teams and polling place assignments completed Election Ambassador
Wednesday, May 10  Handbook and other materials delivered or mailed to schools
Tuesday, May 16  Election Day – Student teams deployed to assigned polling places
 Election Innovation Challenge opens
Monday, June 2  Election Innovation Challenge proposals due to [email protected]
Friday, June 9  Election Innovation Challenge winners announced, feedback distributed to
students and (if requested) numerical scores shared with teachers
Other questions come to mind? Let us know. Contact Patrick Christmas at [email protected].
Committee of Seventy | 123 South Broad St., Suite 1800 | Philadelphia, PA 19109 | www.seventy.org