CINCINNATI — Respective county boards of election across the state are getting ready for Election Day on Nov. 8. They’ll need thousands of poll workers to help.
Carol Blum tested out ballot scenarios with her fellow poll workers in training. It’s a process she’s familiar with, as she’s worked the primary elections earlier this year.
“It involves going to the polling place the Monday before the election and setting up all the materials so that we’re ready to open up the polls at 6:30 (a.m.),” said Blum.
She said it’s something she takes pride in because she’s able to help people with a pillar of democracy: voting.
“It ensures that people have access to the ballot and that they vote and voting is just key to making sure that our democracy, small d, keeps running properly,” she said.
Hamilton County Board of Elections is looking for thousands of more poll workers like Blum.
They need a minimum of 2,200 poll workers, but Hamilton County Board of Elections Director Sherry Poland said they are looking to recruit 2,500.
“That’s why we’re really putting out the call for people to sign up and work the polls,” said Poland. “It’s an extremely important job, but it’s not a difficult job.”
Poll workers need to be 18 years or older and be a registered voter in their county. The positions are paid; poll workers get at least $180 and managers are paid up to $218.
“We have a class that will fit anyone’s schedule,” she said. “We give them hands-on training with the equipment so they get that experience and we also practice different voting scenarios.”
Blum said she looks forward to Election Day and encourages anyone she knows to sign up.
“I think voting is the key — the most important civic duty that we have,” she said. “So helping people get access to the ballots is the best job I can do.”
For more information on how you can sign up, click here.
