Whether it’s volunteering to be an election judge, counting ballots, or simply voting for the first time, more than ever people are getting involved in the democratic process.

Joe Cantalini, a Denver resident, says he’s been directly involved in policymaking and politics in the past but has never helped with the election process until this year.

“I was looking to do some volunteer work through one of the organizations that do pro-democracy stuff, and through the course of their training something clued me towards being an election judge,” Cantalini said. 

Cantalini is not the only Denver resident to be an election judge for the first time: 75% of the 1,180 judges in the county are new, according to Elizabeth Littlepage, Denver’s election judge coordinator.

“Our election judges are the heartbeat of our division. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to conduct elections, and we wouldn’t be such a leader in the nation,” Littlepage said in an email. 

Of all the election judges in the country, 85% are first-timers, officials said.

Earlier this year, election officials were having trouble getting people to volunteer and help with the process, but Littlepage said that after asking for help from the community an overwhelming number of residents answered the call.

Specifically younger people.

“Younger people have stepped up to serve because they understand they are protecting our democracy and access to the ballot box,” she said.

Catalini and the other judges are responsible for collecting ballots, processing new voter registration, and issuing in-person ballots for a total of 19 days.

Regardless of rain or shine, these judges spend at least nine hours a day assisting voters before the election and will spend at least 12 hours on Election Day at the McNichols Building in Civic Center. 

To show support and thank these judges for assisting in the democratic process, the Frontline Impact Project through the KIND Foundation has collaborated with several companies and have donated food, water, shakes, coffee and more to keep these judges on top of their game.

“They’re front-line in supporting our democracy. Our democratic system doesn’t work without the people who are there counting the ballots, and making sure that people are appropriately pursuing the power of the ballot,” said Michael Johnston, the president of the KIND Foundation.

The Frontline Impact Project was launched this spring to assist front-line healthcare working fighting the daily battle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Later, the KIND Foundation decided to add election workers to their program in 13 counties across the country, including Denver and Boulder.

As of Wednesday, Johnston said, they have donated over 12,500 products to election workers in Denver alone. 

“We want them to know that Americans appreciate them and appreciate the historic work they’re doing,” Johnston said. “It’s a small token we can do, but it’s an important one for us to recognize the work they do.”

Purley Elizabeth granola bars and JUSTIN’s cashew butter — both headquartered in Colorado — are contributing to the efforts.

Election officials cannot say enough about the donations they’ve received.

“We are so grateful and our judges are loving it! Fed people are happy people. They are enjoying the snacks and drinks. It’s definitely a motivator to keep them going,” Littlepage said.

“They are used to our office feeding them only on Election Day, so having all these wonderful snacks and drinks really does keep morale up when they are tired and exhausted from working their long shifts,” she said.

By being an election judge, Cantalini says, he’s learned a lot about the background of an election and he plans to continue volunteering as an judge in the future.

“I  do feel like (what I’m doing) is making a difference by servicing voters and trying to get them to be able to vote and have a say in our political system,” he said.