Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is urging Iowans to apply to be poll workers in this fall’s election. Poll workers check in voters on Election Day and hand out ballots.
Pate says more than ten-thousand pollworkers are needed across the state for each election. He says while a good number of poll workers have signed up, county auditors tell him they still need more people…(audio clip below :10 )
Poll workers are paid, but the rate depends on the county. Pate calls poll workers the unsung heroes of our democracy…(audio clip below :20 )
Buena Vista County Election Deputy Karla Ahrendsen says they could use ten to 15 election workers to make it more comfortable for everyone. She says BV will have a large absentee turn out again, and eight to ten people will be needed to help with that process, when only three would be needed normally. Ahrendsen says they’ll need to have a party balance at all precincts. With Buena Vista County’s poll workers getting older, the county is looking at possibly splitting shifts, which requires more people. If someone is interested but doesn’t want to work all election hours, they could find someone of the same party to split with.
BV County residents can contact the Auditor’s office, or visit www.pollworker.iowa.gov for more information about signing up to be a poll worker. The General Election will be held on November 8th.
(thanks to Radio Iowa for contributing)