Trending
No matter your political leanings, everyone can agree the Nov. 5 general election is an unusually important one for our communities, states and country. There are calls to ensure this is a fair, legal, accurate election in which there is no room for doubt when the results are tallied. But who makes that happen?
Poll workers and state/local elections officials. Theirs is an enormously important job. But, in the Mountain State anyway, there are not enough poll workers.
Last week, West Virginia Secretary of State Mac Warner issued a plea. Poll worker recruitment efforts are still under way, as there are shortages in several counties: Berkeley, Boone, Cabell, Fayette, Grant, Hampshire, Kanawha, Marion, Monroe, Nicholas, Ohio, Pleasants, Putnam, Randolph, Ritchie, Summers, Wayne and Wetzel.
"Statewide, it takes over 8,000 total paid poll workers of all political parties to run an election," Warner said. "Poll workers play a critical role in ensuring elections are run properly and securely, and are the lifeblood of successful elections. They deserve the utmost respect and admiration for their services to our communities."
If respect and the knowledge you are playing a crucial part in our election process are not enough, poll workers are also paid for their training time and work.
If you are eligible and willing, sign up at GoVoteWV.com and wait to be contacted to schedule in-person training by a county clerk or call your county clerk's office directly.
"Poll workers are essential to ensure elections are a success," says the U.S. Election Assistance Commission.
In counties where there are shortages, that success will be harder to achieve.
Think about it. And, if you are able, go sign up ASAP.