Can you be punished for protesting?

First Five Now: Student Activism and the Poll Hero Project

Ryan Schwieger, a senior at Princeton University and co-founder of the Poll Hero Project, talks about his organization’s goal to recruit thousands of young people to be poll workers on Election Day.

The Poll Hero Project was founded by a group of high school, college and graduate students who were concerned that a lack of poll workers was one of the most significant unmet needs in the proper functioning of the 2020 Election.

A majority of poll workers are older Americans who, this year, are more likely not to work the polls due to higher susceptibility to COVID-19.

Since the launch of the project, more than 30,000 young people have signed up to be poll workers.

First Five Now is a Freedom Forum conversation that explores topical issues and features current newsmakers who are using the five freedoms of the First Amendment to guide their work.

Related Content

Graphic of hand holding envelope with text that reads How to File a Petition: A Step-by-Step Guide.

How to File a Petition: A Step-by-Step Guide

Learn how to file a petition by following these eight simple steps.
Read More
US flag and citizenship and immigration paperwork

Are Non-Citizens Protected by the First Amendment?

With liberty and justice for ... all?
Read More
Person writing a letter to editor on laptop

How to Write a Letter to the Editor: Examples, Tips and More

Put your press hat on and speak up about issues you care about.
Read More

Regulating speech on social media: A First Amendment perspective