Poll Workers Needed: Welcome Voters, Ensure Election Integrity

By LYDIA BERGLAR
News Editor

The Dade County elections office is recruiting volunteers for this year’s election cycle. Poll workers are paid $10 per hour (for 14-hour days), but most people do not sign up because of the money. Carolyn Hixson (Dade County Board of Elections member) said, “Most people aren’t aware that it pays a small stipend. They sign up for the sense of contributing, to be a part of our country’s form of government.”

Hixson’s goal is to train 60 total poll workers. Seven to eight workers are stationed at each of the county’s seven voting precincts on election days, but Hixson also needs back-up workers in case of sickness, emergency, etc.

Volunteers must complete a training workbook and an in-person training session with the equipment. The workbook (which can now be completed online or in-person at the elections office) covers topics like voting laws, signage, how to open and close the precincts, and the forms that voters fill out.

Hixson places volunteers in their precinct whenever possible. She noted that since volunteers are required by law to remain at the precinct, most precincts have potluck lunches. She added that direct deposit is now available for poll workers’ compensation.

Creating a welcoming environment for voters is part of the poll worker’s job, and another key part is ensuring election integrity locally. Hixson said, “A big part of the job is looking for suspicious activity in and amongst the voters and keeping an eye on things.”

At the end of an election day, poll workers return all equipment to the elections office in Trenton. Hixson explained, “The first thing they do is bring the memory card in from the machine, and it’s digitally sent to Atlanta right away. Because our poll workers don’t leave their precincts, there’s no way anyone can bring any extra ballots in. We follow exactly what the state tells us to do. If there’s anybody fooling with elections, it’s not happening in Dade County.”

Knowing how tense elections can be, Hixson said “When you come in to vote, we want you to feel relaxed and comfortable. We have wonderful, loyal poll workers. Our greeters especially make you feel like you’re in the right place.”

Hixson recalled instances where individuals have entered a precinct in a disruptive manner and distracted voters. “One incident like that can unnerve the whole room of voters,” she said. Part of the role of a poll worker is to handle these situations so that citizens can vote in peace and safety.

The primary and general elections have separate training programs. Volunteers should note that the general elections require two days of work. This year’s election dates are:

• Presidential Preference Primary: March 12
• General Primary/Runoff: May 21, June 18
• General Election/Runoff: November 5, December 3

Most volunteers choose to work all three elections, but volunteers can work just one election (as long as they work both dates if it’s a general election).

Some volunteers enjoy working the polls as a way to meet people and serve their community. Charles Gray just recently signed up to work the polls because, being retired, he wanted something to do in the community and he enjoys meeting people.

Paula and Larry Bradford have worked at the South Dade precinct for 16 years because a family member who ran the polls recruited them. Paula said, “I love meeting people and helping people so that they can vote.” The couple started volunteering while they still worked full time, so they used vacation time on election days.

Still somewhat new to Dade County, Rob and Lisa Jenks started working the polls more recently. Rob said that they volunteer for election integrity and to meet neighbors and friends, reporting that it’s an enjoyable experience. Having heard discussion about the Dominion voting machines, he wanted to see the process for himself. According to Rob, if someone has an intent to subvert the system, he or she will find a way to do it, but he does not see Dade County as a hotbed for such subversion.

Susan Smisson who works the Trenton precinct has volunteered for many years, saying, “As citizens of the United States, it’s so important that we maintain our understanding of how critical it is to vote. Consequently, I taught my children and students I’ve taught over the years how important elections are. You’re exercising your rights as an American citizen. Your vote really does count. Tight elections are the perfect example of the importance of getting in here and voting.”

Smisson sees all elections–local, state, and presidential–as important to participate in. Pondering why some people do not vote, she wonders, “Is it our lack of information? Our lack of motivation? Being a person who has always voted, I don’t understand why you wouldn’t want to vote.”

To sign up to work the polls, visit the elections office in the Dade County Administrative Building or call the office at 706-657-8170.