Nash County needs poll workers

The Nash County Board of Elections is looking for Nash County residents with computer skills to serve as poll workers during the Nov. 5 general election and for a few to work during one-stop, early voting before Election Day.

In addition to the privilege of contributing to the democratic process, poll workers are also paid.

John Kearney, director of the county elections board, said he is looking for 20 to 30 strong applicants to fill a demand for poll workers that is constantly in a state of flux. He said experience using a personal computer will be useful on this job.

“The Nash County Board of Elections is gearing up for what could be the biggest election we have held,” Kearney said.

Kearney said the assistants at the polling precincts aid with voter check-ins, staffing the help desk and working the curbside service area. Computer skills are essential for voter check-in.

There are five classifications of poll workers. Help desk workers receive the most pay for training and working on Election Day. These workers receive $25 for training, $15 for the set-up meeting and $190 to work on Election Day. On the low end, machine monitors receive $15 for training, $15 for the set-up meeting and $145 on Election Day.

Kearney said the job a worker is assigned to depends on the worker’s aptitude, work skills and experience.

“Any person appointed to any of these positions must be a registered voter in Nash County and be of good moral character,” Kearney said. “In addition, they should be able to read and write accurately, follow directions, work at a fast pace, lift up to 25 pounds and have excellent customer service skills. It is preferable, but not required, that poll workers have some type of computer experience.”

Kearney noted that no person who is the wife, husband, mother, father, son, daughter, brother or sister of any candidate for nomination or election may serve during any primary or election in which such candidate participates.

No person who is the wife, husband, mother, father, son, daughter, brother or sister of a poll worker may serve in the same precinct, Kearney added.

No person who is actively working on a candidate’s campaign or actively working for a party would be allowed to serve as a poll worker during that election cycle, Kearney said as per the county board’s rules governing who is eligible to serve as a poll worker.

On Election Day, when the polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., poll workers will start their day at 6 a.m. The workday will not end until the last vote is counted and all the necessary documents are signed.

“Each Election Day is a 15-plus hour commitment,” according to the application for poll workers.

Jane Tyson of Spring Hope has been a poll worker for more than 20 years, and she plans to come back this year.

“It’s an honor to be a poll worker. You’re helping people,” Tyson said of the job. “It’s a fun day.”

Tyson said she is looking forward to returning to her home precinct at the Coopers Fire Department, where many of those she’ll be helping will be friends and neighbors.

For more information about being a poll worker and for a link to apply for the positions, visit nashcountync.gov/481/Poll-Workers.