Kentucky In Need Of Precinct Poll Workers

FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18) – Kentucky is in need of more poll workers for the May 22 primary election. 

According to the Secretary of State’s office, it takes 15,000 poll workers to conduct elections across Kentucky.  To be an election poll worker, you must be a registered Kentucky voter and you must attend a training session before election day. 

Election poll workers are paid a minimum of $10 dollars for attending the training session and a minimum of $060 per shift, along with payment for mileage. 

Here are a complete list of duties and qualifications:

Qualifications 

1. You must be a qualified, registered voter.  If you will be 18 years old on or before the General election, you can serve as a precinct election officer.
2. You cannot serve if you are a candidate during the election year.
3. You cannot serve if are the spouse, parent, brother, sister, or child of a candidate who is to be voted for in that precinct. You may serve in other precincts in which your spouse or relative is not on the ballot.
4. You cannot change your party affiliation for one (1) year prior to your appointment as a precinct election officer. However, if you are not registered to vote, you may register to vote prior to volunteering to serve as a precinct election officer. 

Duties

You must be a responsible person who wants to serve the community in a very important role.  Below is a list of duties one must perform while serving as a precinct election officer:

1. Attend the required training sessions before the election;
2. Your election day will begin at 5:30 AM (or earlier as required by your county board of elections) when you report to your polling place;
3. Arrange your polling place with all the necessary election materials and voting equipment in a way to ensure privacy for each voter and security in the voting process;
4. The precinct must open by 6:00 AM;
5. Process voters and provide any assistance;
6. Administer all election laws;
7. Treat every voter with respect and courtesy;
8. Close the polling place after the last voter in line at 6:00 PM has voted;
9. Complete all necessary paper work; and
10. Return all election materials to the County Clerk’s office that evening.

To learn more, click here.