Metro Voice News Celebrating Faith, Family & Community
Soon, ‘VOTE HERE’ signs will line the roadway outside many church or school buildings. The election workers inside are an essential part of every election. They are present to provide faster service for the voters and to ensure the integrity of the election process.
According to the Shawnee County Election Office website, its mission is: To honestly, fairly and according to law, administer elections for all voters; and to accurately report the results in a timely manner. The Office utilizes approximately 1,000 election workers to make Election Day successful, according to Dave Evans, Shawnee County election manager.
With the November 5 election fast approaching, there is still some time to apply to work the polls on Election Day. First-time election workers must complete an application, which is available on the Election Office website. New election workers must also be U.S. citizens, reside in Shawnee County and complete training.
Training lasts 3 hours and is given through group meetings. The training is detailed, but simple and the teaching staff are thorough in what they cover. First-time election workers are also assigned to polling places with several other workers who have years of experience, giving them the opportunity to learn under minimal stress.
The work is relatively simple with several positions to be filled. The poll book workers check in the voters, letting them know that their vote is registered in the election office’s database. The ballot checkers hand out the correct ballot to the voter for their precinct and district, making sure that they are given the full register of those running for office. The election worker at the voting machine is there to assist the voter in case any issues arise.
Students who would like to work at the polls on Election Day can request the day off from their school classes to work. There is a minimum age requirement of 16. Student poll workers can gain valuable civic experience and helpful insights into the electoral process, once they reach voting age themselves. There are currently around 60 students under 18 who will work the polls this election, according to Evans.
READ: 32 million churchgoing Christians unlikely to vote in November, survey finds
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day, November 5. Election workers can work a full 14-hour day at a daily rate of $125. Half-day workers can work from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. at a rate of $56. Training compensation pays $8 per hour.
Other important dates to note: The deadline to register to vote was October 15 at 5 p.m. Advance mail ballots were mailed October 16. Early voting began on October 21.
The Shawnee County Election Office is located at 3420 S.W. Van Buren and is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Office can be reached at (785) 251-5900.
–Hanna Allen | Metro Voice
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