For most, the General Election seems far away. For my office, preparations for the General Election started as soon as the Primary was certified. It’s time once again to make a case for the importance of qualified individuals to serve their county as poll workers.
First, and perhaps most importantly, in person voting cannot happen without poll workers. Poll workers are the front line of the democratic process. When you commit to this assignment, you are taking on the responsibility of administering and overseeing the election process in your county. This is no small act, and the decision should not be made lightly.
Second, your work benefits Election Day voters and existing poll workers. By the morning of the Primary Election, I had received enough poll worker call offs that I had already replaced those positions with the county’s alternate poll workers. This means, any call offs on Election Day left positions at precincts that could not be filled. Signing up and showing up not only ensures smoother Election Day operations but makes the long day easier for every worker that day.
Third, someone must carry the torch. Ohio County has some of the most dedicated veteran poll workers in the state. Many have served for more than twenty years. It is inevitable though that every election is the last election for a few of our long-time workers. In the time I’ve been in this position, close to half of Ohio County’s most recognizable poll workers have decided it’s time for them to relinquish the reins. These workers have earned it. They’ve paid their dues and served their county admirably. The cycle of veterans training new workers and those new workers eventually becoming reliable veterans is a continuous loop. With more veterans retiring and fewer new poll workers signing up, the state and the nation are facing a poll worker shortage.
Lastly, your time is valuable and for that reason, this is not a volunteer position. Ohio County Poll Workers get paid for their service. Poll Workers receive a minimum of $270.00 for their full day of service on Election Day and $30.00 for attending the mandatory training.
Ohio County needs poll workers of all political affiliations to register. Election Day workers will be assigned in September, and alternates may receive an assignment all the way up to the morning of Election Day.
You are eligible to work if you:
- Are registered to vote in Ohio County
- Can read and write the English Language
- Attend the training and are available to work on Election Day
- Are not a candidate or an official write-in candidate on the ballot, or a spouse, child, parent or sibling of a candidate or official write-in candidate on the ballot
- Are not prohibited from serving due to any other laws or disqualifications
Ways to register:
- Call my office at 304-234-362
- Email me at eallietta@ohiocountywv.gov and request the form
- Print the form on our website https://www.ohiocountywv.gov/docs/is_POLLWORKERREGISTRATION.pdf and mail to 1500 Chapline St. Room 215, Wheeling, WV 26003
- Reach out to your local Democrat or Republican Executive Committees to sign up
Not an Ohio County resident? That’s okay! The entire state needs poll workers. If you want to serve, contact the County Clerk where you live to inquire.
