Poll worker recruitment underway in West Virginia
Jul. 26—princeton — Counties across West Virginia continue to seek and recruit people wanting to serve their communities and play a part in history when Election Day arrives this November.
National Poll Worker Recruitment Day is a national day of action established by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) in 2020 to inspire civic engagement and encourage people to sign up to become a poll worker, according to the United States Election Assistance Commission. On Aug. 1, National Poll Worker Recruitment Day aims to address the continued need for poll workers to sign up ahead of the general election in November.
However, county clerk's offices are not waiting until Aug. 1 to find new poll workers. Mercer County Clerk Verlin Moye said his office is always looking for new people to staff the polls.
"Absolutely," Moye said. "We're constantly asking folks to help us with the polls. We're always seeking out qualified individuals to help us out at the polls. I think we've got a great group of poll workers now, but we're always looking to add qualified, interested individuals. It's a constant thing. We're looking for them always."
Applicants must learn about the job before they are assigned to a polling precinct.
"Of course, prior to elections we have poll worker training. And we'll have four or five training sessions this cycle, this election cycle prior to the election — 30 days prior to the election," Moye said. "We're required by law to have poll worker training and we'll go through all sorts of information. The machines, certain laws that are pertinent to them at that time, protocols that we have and procedures on Election Day."
"But, it's a very important process, and I have always stated that our poll workers are the lifeblood of the election. They are our first line of defense for integrity and I've got great poll workers," Moye said. "We've got some that have been working the polls since the Fifties and it's just amazing, the work that they do. They're real professionals and we appreciate it."
Applicants must meet several requirements.
"Well, basically they need to be registered to vote," Moye said. "That's one of the first requirements, and they have to understand that in their position, they need to on Election Day be politically neutral. We can't have poll workers out there who are trying to sway votes. That is highly illegal, so they have to have a certain understanding of that principle there. Other than that, there's a minimal amount of paperwork they have to fill out."
Poll workers must have a way to get to and from their precincts as well as the poll workers' school. Training is conducted in Princeton.
"Usually the poll school is at the Karen Preservati Center somewhere within 30 days of the election and it's usually at 6 o'clock and it lasts two and a half hours," Moye said. "We go over a variety of things they will need to know. Most of it is routine. We serve refreshments because we appreciate the fact they are taking time out of their busy schedule to help us help the public. It's a great, great service to the community. The poll workers are our eyes and ears on Election Day. We just rely on them heavily."
The county clerk's office pays the $50 charge for the poll worker training. Poll workers are paid for their day of service.
"On Election Day, it usually runs around $200, $220, something like that," Moye said. "After it's all said and done, poll workers will earn around $250 because there are other variables that add to the pay: the amount of machines that you have, the precinct you're actually working in and that kind of thing. You have to have five poll workers at every precinct and, you know, with 44 precincts, that's 220 poll workers. And we're always seeking to have alternatives. Emergencies will happen and in the event of an emergency, we can have someone to replace that poll worker."
County residents interested in becoming poll workers can go to mercervotes.com on the internet. The website has a link to the West Virginia Secretary of State's Office. They can also go to the Voters Registration Office at the Mercer County Courthouse and apply in person.
"Most of them prefer to walk in and fill out an application right there and then," Moye said. "They can go to the Voters Registration Office and take care of it in a matter of minutes. It's a good thing and you're a part of history when you work in an election. You can honestly say you were a part of it when this event took place. It's a serious event."
In today's often passionate political climate, there have been cases across the country where poll workers have faced threats or irate individuals at their voting precincts.
"We do not tolerate it for a second in this county," Moye said. "They are instructed to follow protocol, which in the event it's a serious occurrence, they'll dial 911 and then they'll call my office or they'll call my office and then call 911. We have a policy in place that will take care of any disturbance in our polling precincts. There's laws that support it and there are stiff penalties against anyone who violates the activities at the polls."
Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@bdtonline.com
Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@bdtonline.com
