By Haley Knight |
Editor in chief
Georgia, along with many other states, is facing a poll worker shortage for the upcoming elections.
“Starting before the pandemic, almost two-thirds of the jurisdictions find it difficult to search for poll workers,” says Noah Goldstein, founder of a group called The Poll Workers Project. “People 60-years-old or above are the average poll workers. They’re at more risk for COVID.”
Goldstein and colleague, James Lengyel, believe it is paramount for young people to step into the vacuum left by older volunteers not working this year, and to use their bodies in the fight for safer, more accessible, more open voting for everyone.
“It (poll working) is an easy way for people to be involved. We need willing and able people,” says Lengyel.
According to an article in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Georgia is in need of 20,000 poll workers for the upcoming election; however, only 6,000 people have signed up. There is still a need of 14,000 poll workers.
Goldstein and Lengyel say that the biggest issue the nation is facing is that information regarding poll workers is a mystery.
“Biggest hindrance is no one knows who has been a poll worker and does not know the information relating to poll workers,” says Goldstein. “Biggest hurdle in my opinion is the fact it is a big mystery and burdensome.”
https://www.augustaga.gov/606/Poll-Worker-Information
According to the Richmond County Board of Elections website, a person must be 16 years-old, a citizen of the United States and a resident of Richmond County. They must be able to read, write and speak the English language.
“Poll workers need extensive knowledge in electronics. College students would be very compatible with this new system,” says Lynn Bailey, executive director of the Richmond County Board of Elections.
Georgia has debuted a new voting system that relies heavily on technology. Poll workers will be using cameras in Ipads and tablets, a desktop printer and optical scanner, according to Bailey.
“There are over 42 election day locations. We want at least one technician, someone with training, at each location,” says Bailey. “The goal is to have more than one.”
Poll workers will be paid a minimum of $175.00 for a 16-hour day starting at 5:30 a.m. and lasting to 8:30 p.m. or longer in Richmond County. The pay and hours vary per county. Training days are provided per county.
“Training day is paid from the $175.00 offered 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on varying days of the week. One single location in Augusta to be announced for training,” says Bailey.
Keeping COVID in mind, poll locations are highly recommending the use of masks and poll workers will be provided hand sanitizer, gloves and masks.
All universities in Georgia are encouraged to promote the need of poll workers to their students, wrote Joyce Jones, vice chancellor of students affairs, in an email to Roberto Aragon, coordinator for student involvement at Augusta University.
Students wishing to work the polls come election day may signup through Aaragon or may use the link provided. https://www.augustaga.gov/606/Poll-Worker-Information.
Students needing to register to vote may use the following link. https://www.augusta.edu/student-life/civic-engagement/index.php.
Contact Haley Knight at hknight@augusta.edu.