WHEELING — Local counties are once again seeking additional poll workers as the May 12 primary election approaches.

In Ohio County, Election Coordinator Erin Allietta said at least 50 Republican poll workers are needed.

“We’re doing better than last time,” she said. “We still need several Republicans, and we could do with about 10 more Democrats, as well.”

The county will have 35 voting precincts for the upcoming election, and each precinct is required to have at least five poll workers. This means at least 175 poll workers must be employed, though additional ones are also needed, according to Allietta.

“It is inevitable we are going to have call-offs,” she said. “We also need runners to take supplies to the voting locations.”

Executive committees for the Democratic and Republican parties have until March 3 — 70 days before the election — to provide a suggested list of prospective poll workers to their respective county commission.

Allietta said a lot of people usually come in at the end to sign up.

“I’m not overly concerned yet,” she continued. “We always have the option of filling in with unaffiliated poll workers.”

Those wishing to serve as poll workers in Ohio County should contact a member of their county executive committee, or the Ohio County Commission office at 304-234-2628.

Poll workers in Ohio County are paid $270 a day for working Election Day, plus an additional $30 for attending a required training session.

In Marshall County, pollworkers receive $250 on Election Day and $50 for training.

Toni Chieffalo, co-coordinator of elections in Marshall County, said she isn’t yet concerned about having enough poll workers there.

“The executive committees get them for us,” she explained. “They bring in a list, and the commission approves it. Then I start filling them in.”

Chieffalo added she isn’t certain yet just how many more poll workers she will need.

“I have the Democratic list now, and it looks like a good amount,” she said. “I haven’t seen the Republican list yet but it has to be (in) by Tuesday.”

The Marshall County Clerk’s Office can be reached at 304-845-1220.