National Poll Worker Recruitment Day coming Aug. 12
West Virginia Secretary of State Kris Warner said recently that the Mountain State and others across the country are dealing with a shortage of poll workers. During last year's General Election, there were counties that had to fill poll vacancies at the last minute.
To avoid not having enough poll workers during state and national elections, more need to be recruited and trained, Warner said. To help with this effort, National Poll Worker Recruitment Day will take place on Aug. 12.
Poll workers are not volunteers, Mercer County Clerk Verlin Moye said Tuesday.
'It is a paid position and the average pay is a minimum of $225,' he said. 'That includes Election Day and poll school.'
Some poll workers can earn up to $250 if they become a ballot commissioner that supervises a polling precinct. Mercer County is 'right in the middle' of the average pay a poll worker can earn, Moye said.
'We're trying to pay them as much as we can, but that's a lot of money,' he said, adding that paying the poll workers staffing the county's 43 precincts for an election cost the county at least $48,000.
'They're worth more than that,' Moye said. 'They're certainly not in it for the money. They're just civil servants doing their duty.'
A poll worker's day is a long one. Polls open at 6:30 a.m., but poll workers have to be at their precincts by 5:30 a.m. And while precincts close at 7:30 p.m., a poll worker's day isn't over until 9 p.m. Voting machines have to be packed up and returned to the courthouse along with ballots. The ballots are escorted by another poll worker called a supply commissioner to help maintain the checks and balances needed for a fair election, he said.
Moye said that every day is poll worker recruitment day.
'My awesome staff and I are constantly seeking and discussing the recruitment of qualified poll-workers in and out of the office,' he said. 'It's a continuous thing. We're always looking to recruit new poll workers; at least get them on the list so we can vet them.'
Several avenues are explored to find people ready to apply for poll worker positions.
'When it comes to obtaining qualified poll workers, we rely heavily on referrals, networking, the media and advertising,' Moye said. 'The Secretary of State's Office is also a valuable resource of obtaining poll worker candidates through their website.'
Workers staffing each polling place do everything from setting up the site, check in voters, help them use voting machines and help make sure voters with disabilities can access the polling place, Warner said.
National Poll Worker Recruitment Day will be more than encouraging people to come to the courthouse and fill out an application, Moye said.
'But on Recruitment Day, we want to take the time to thank and appreciate our professional and dedicated poll workers,' he said. 'Our poll-workers are knowledgeable in election law and procedures and are the life blood of an election.'
Poll workers do not represent any one party or interest group, Moye said.
'They are Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, Independents and No Parties. They interact with and assist voters on Election Day and are one of our main controls in place to assure that our elections are held freely, fairly and with integrity,' he said. 'They work a very long day and oftentimes they have to deal with difficult situations and people, and they do it with zeal and a smile. Poll workers are courageous and resilient, working through snow-storms, injuries, electrical storms, pandemics and more. They get the job done and we really appreciate their efforts and dedication.'
Residents interested in applying can call 304-487-8338 and 8339.
People interested in becoming poll workers can also get more information and apply at GoVoteWV.com.
Contact Greg Jordan
at gjordan@bdtonline.com
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