Counties across NC are urgently recruiting poll workers

MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) – Counties across the Carolinas will work to recruit thousands of people to be poll workers in the coming weeks.

Thursday is national poll worker recruitment day. Election managers in two North Carolina counties are already preparing for the election.

Anywhere from 3,000 to 5,000 people will help make the election process run smoothly in Mecklenburg County. There are fewer than 100 days until we cast our ballots, and Board of Elections Director Michael Dickerson said he already has a full roster of poll workers. But other local counties need hundreds.

“So far, we’ve recruited about 300 for election day and about 110 for early voting,” said Kristin Holloway, director for Union County’s Board of Elections.

The 180,000 registered voters in Union County can expect to see new polling locations this election season.

“We’ve added two additional early voting sites and two additional precincts,” said Holloway.

More precincts mean more polling workers are needed.

“We still need a few 100 people to call us and volunteer,” she said.

Holloway said voter ID laws are also part of the reason she’s recruiting more people than ever before.

“That adds another step to the voting process which will require more staff to process those voters,” she said.

To ensure a fair and safe election, Lincoln County is looking for 10 to 15 more poll workers. Burke needs about 10 more for early voting and 20 to 30 more for election day.

Other counties like Gaston, Cabarrus and Mecklenburg already have what they need but are always looking to recruit more.

“We always get a lot of people and it’s something that is really great to see because they want to make sure the election process works,” said Dickerson.

To be a poll worker, you must apply and then undergo a training session. You’ll also have to help set up the night before the election and be at the polls on your assigned day.

Election leaders are expecting a huge turnout in October and November.

“I can already tell the activity has increased,” said Holloway. “Just the people that are calling our office and walking in trying to register or update their address, things of that nature. It’s already picking up.”

Poll workers do get paid for their time. If you’re interested in becoming one, these directors said the sooner, the better. You can call or visit the website for your county’s board of elections to learn more.

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