Local elections directors say plenty of poll workers in place for Nov. 5
As the presidential election draws closer, election officials in Fayette, Washington and Greene counties said they have an adequate number of poll workers – but are always looking for more given the likelihood of higher-than-normal voter turnout.
“With it being a presidential election we always see a larger response from voters interested in being poll workers,” said Melanie Ostrander, elections director for Washington County.
But, said Ostrander, “We never turn poll workers down.”
Poll workers play a crucial role in safeguarding the integrity of the democratic process and ensuring that every eligible voter can cast their ballot. Their duties include checking in voters and assisting in operating voting machines.
“Being a poll worker is such an important, wonderful thing you can do to help your community and your country,” said Fayette County Election Bureau Director Marybeth Kuznik. “If we don’t have poll workers, we can’t have elections. It’s as simple as that.”
Voting precincts in Pennsylvania have a number of people who help elections run smoothly, including judges of elections and inspectors. While each job is designed to have a set role in the polling places, Kuznik said, a lot of time poll workers are cross-trained and are able to assist wherever they are needed.
“The reality is everybody helps everybody,” Kuznik said. “Polling places are like a team all working together for a common goal.”
Being a poll worker is a time commitment. On election day poll workers are usually required to be at their polling place an hour before the polls open at 7 a.m. and cannot leave until after the polls close after 8 p.m. Before election day, elected positions and new poll workers are also required to attend paid training classes before election day.
The long day and training hours are not free labor as workers are compensated for the time with pay varying depending on the county but tend to range between $130 to $160.
“Nobody’s getting rich being a poll worker,” Kuznik said.
As far as numbers go, each polling place needs at least a judge of elections and majority and minority inspectors, but elections directors in Washington, Fayette and Greene counties said they will likely have enough poll workers to place at least five at each precinct.
“We’re going to have more support for this election than we did for the primary,” Greene County Election Director Joseph Lemley said. “A lot of people are looking to help on election day.”
Ostrander said Washington County is also on track to have at least five poll workers for the 180 voting precincts.
And while the call for poll workers may not be as dire as it is in non-presidential elections, Lemley said workers are still just as important as they are in every election and can help bring a community together.
“A lot of friendships are made and you can leave the polls knowing you helped your community, your neighborhood,” Lemley said.