Not often does one get to fulfill a basic civic duty while also making some money in the process. Election Day in as many as 15 counties could provide that opportunity.
West Virginia Secretary of State Kris Warner released that the counties listed need poll workers to fill positions for Election Day on Nov. 3. Workers receive payment for both training and the day of work.
Hardy County Clerk Loretta Humbertson explained that the Secretary of State’s office asked each county clerk to indicate if they needed more poll workers. She answered them in the affirmative and Hardy County was listed as one needing workers.
She added that “I didn’t realize they were going to frame it in the manner that made it seem urgent, then stated that though they have enough on the list to cover needs, “still, just the same, we have many long-term workers who have not returned their paperwork indicating if they will be able to serve.”
“Even though we try to keep a good list of alternates that can fill in, inevitably every year we find ourselves hoping someone else doesn’t call off sick or be a “no show” on election morning at 5:00 a.m.,” Humbertson stated.
Humbertson praised the cadre of poll workers who have been a dedicated group of election workers who have served our community for many years. That said, as those who have served for years or decades age, they sometimes lose the ability to get out to perform the work.
Many “are reaching an age or other situation where continuing to serve is becoming difficult. This year, a number of experienced election workers have also informed us that they will no longer be able to serve.”
The County Clerk also shared the requirements to serve, which are:
– ●Be a registered voter in Hardy County, (or meet the requirements for an eligible student election worker – this student worker is new this year – the Commission has not “approved” this yet, but I am posing it to them at the next meeting to consider and have good hopes they will approve);
– ●Be able to read and write English;
– ●Attend required election training; and
– ●Be available to work on Election Day; (It’s a very long day)
– And workers need to be able to physically lift and handle equipment as well.
Poll workers must arrive before 5:45 a.m. Voting concludes at 7:30 p.m.
“West Virginia has more than 1,600 voting precincts that require more than 8,400 trained poll workers on Election Day,” said Secretary Warner in his release.
