CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — West Virginia Secretary of State Mac Warner is encouraging West Virginians to consider becoming poll workers for this fall’s election.
The push as Tuesday will mark National Poll Worker Recruitment Day. According to state officials, as many as 8,000 poll workers are necessary to ensure West Virginia’s elections can operate with few issues.
“When we talk about confidence in the election, I can guarantee you, if you work at a poll, you will see all the checks and balances,” Warner said on Monday’s “MetroNews Talkline.”
“You’ll come out of there with a much better feel for the elections and being a part of the community and doing your job to keep this democracy operating with the full confidence of the people.”
The responsibilities of poll workers include reviewing addresses and helping voters find their assigned polling place. They additionally serve as guides through the provisional ballot process to ensure votes are legally cast following Election Day. Poll workers can work up to 14 hours when polls open, and counties provide compensation to these people.
“Typically, $150 to $230 depending on the county, and that is left up to the clerks in the counties,” Warner said. “You don’t get rich, but it is compensation for a long day.”
Poll workers must be registered to vote, possess English comprehension skills, and be available to work on Election Day. They cannot be a candidate for office or have an immediate family member participating in the election.
Harrison County Clerk John Spires said his office wants to identify interested people so officials can schedule training events quickly.
“We need them to be engaged to help us out with the election process,” he told MetroNews affiliate WAJR-AM. “It’s a great way of strengthening our democracy, and we could not do it without poll workers.”
Election Day is Nov. 8.