C.J. Gish
From checking IDs and handing out ballots to running the registration equipment, there are several tasks election workers perform in order to make sure the voting process runs smoothly.
The Alachua County Supervisor of Elections Office recently announced that it needs people to help staff its 63 precincts for the Aug. 23 primary election.
To be eligible, election workers must be U.S. citizens and registered to vote in Alachua County, able to speak, read, and write the English language, have reliable transportation to and from training and their shifts, be available for their entire shifts, and cannot be a candidate or immediately related to a candidate running in the election cycle, according to the Supervisor of Elections Office release.
Aaron Klein, the director of communications and outreach at the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections Office, said staffing is an integral part of the election process.
“It’s critically important,” he said. “We are always trying to ensure that voters are able to efficiently cast their ballots, whether that be vote by mail but also early voting and in person on Election Day and the work of our election workers is critical to that. Whether it’s ensuring people can check in, provide their ID and receive their ballot, if they can receive help, if they perhaps make a mistake on their ballot or have any questions, it’s so critical to have election workers to make sure the process runs smoothly.”
Positions are paid and Klein said training will take place throughout June and July for the August primary, but workers can apply year-round.
“We’re always trying to have as many qualified people as possible,” he said.
Training sessions last around two hours.
“It depends on the position as to what is being asked of folks training,” Klein said. “For example, for our EViD registration operators, they’re going to be doing really hands on stuff with the registration technology. Whereas folks who are training to be deputies or ballot distributors, they’re, of course, going to have different training requirements.”
Training will be held at the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections Office located at 515 N. Main St. in Suite 300. Click here for an election worker application and for more information, call 352-374-5252 during business hours from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.