Washington County, Tennessee seeking poll workers ahead of Aug. 1 election

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — With one month until early voting begins, the Washington County, Tennessee Election Commission is still short 15 poll workers for the upcoming Aug. 1 election.

County Administrator of Elections Dana Jones told News Channel 11 that filling those open spots is especially critical as the office prepares not just for August’s federal primary and county general election races, but also for November’s presidential race.

“If I could get another 30 people, I would hire all 30 of them so I can get them trained for November,” Jones said.

Though previous poll-working experience is not required to work in November, Jones said she’ll give first priority to workers from August for the November slots.

“We just think it’s good if you’ve been through an election before you get hit with the November election, because it’s an election all on its own,” Jones said. “It’s totally different circumstances because you are so busy.”

Typically, non-presidential elections, even in a “presidential year,” have much lower turnout. In 2020, just 31% of the county’s registered voters turned out for the August election. In November, 82% cast a ballot.

Still, Jones said she’s not expecting a big turnout in August, but her office is prepared.

“We have high expectations for August because you have, for Johnson City, four referendums on the ballot,” Jones said. “But we’re still expecting no more than a 15% voter turnout. So, I really hope people prove me wrong and they come out and vote because, as with all elections, we have to start staffing the precincts like all 88,000 registered voters are going to show up.”

“We want all of you to show up. Don’t worry, we’ll be ready for you.”

Even if turnout is low, there’s another reason to fully staff the polls—the long days required of poll workers. They’re required to show up at 6:30 a.m. and can’t leave the precinct until the last ballot is cast, Jones said.

“We want our workers who are in there to be able to have a lunch break, to be able to go to the bathroom to do those things that you need to do just as humans,” Jones said.

This year, poll workers will be paid $140 for election day, and $25 to attend required training sessions.

To sign up, visit the Washington County Tennessee Election Commission’s website or call 423-753-1688.

Early voting begins July 12. You can find a full list of early voting times and locations here .

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