In each election, Californians see “snapshots” of what makes our democracy tick. Candidates. Initiative measures. Campaign commercials. Voter registration drives. Ballots and the machines that count them.

One crucial element that is often overlooked is the contribution made by the state’s largest one-day volunteer work force: the 100,000 men and women who serve on the front lines of democracy as poll workers.

Teenagers and senior citizens, professionals and retirees — people of all backgrounds come together to ensure all of the more than 23,000 polling places across California are staffed on Election Day. Poll workers make voting easier and they protect our ballots until these are delivered to county election officials.

For their valuable service, poll workers take home modest stipends, but they walk away with so much more: a sense of community, a chance to reconnect with neighbors and friends, first-hand experience with democracy and personal satisfaction.

We couldn’t have made the Feb. 5 presidential primary a success without poll workers. Now, we need their help again, and yours too.

The Legislative and Congressional primaries are on June 3. Then comes the Nov. 4 general election, when Californians will help pick our 44th American president. County elections officials have already begun to recruit and train the thousands of poll workers they’ll need for the June 3 primary election, and they could use everyone’s help.

To be a poll worker, you only need to be a registered voter. Or, you can be a high school student who is a U.S. citizen at least 16 years old, with a grade-point average of at least 2.5, and in good standing at school.

I especially encourage students to take the opportunity to “learn and earn” as poll workers. Younger Californians with computer skills and bilingual abilities are particularly in demand as poll workers. Volunteering at a neighborhood polling place is a great way to have a first-hand lesson in democracy.

Before I ever ran for elected office, I served as a poll worker in Los Angeles County for a number of elections. Working at a polling place is an enjoyable and easy way to get involved in the electoral process. It enhanced my appreciation of the democratic process, and it could do the same for you.

You’ll never know unless you volunteer. Please, contact your registrar of voters and learn more about becoming a poll worker. A list of contact numbers for county registrars is at http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/pollworker.htm.

Debra Bowen is the State of California’s Secretary of State.