By Jeff Jones
Journal Politics Writer
Wanted for anonymous public service:
Workers for a single, stressful 14- to 16-hour November day; must undergo training beforehand; pay is $125 or so.
Inquire at the Bernalillo County Bureau of Elections.
With heavy voter turnout expected nationwide for this fall's general election, the top elections official in New Mexico's most populous county is planning a recruiting campaign to beef up the number of poll workers ready for Election Day.
"We are definitely making poll worker recruitment for the general election a priority," Bernalillo County Clerk Maggie Toulouse Oliver said.
She wants to increase the number of Election Day poll workers in the county this fall to nearly 3,000 — a boost of more than 1,000 workers compared with the number who worked the June 3 primary election.
Clerk's office workers plan to attend neighborhood association meetings, chat up civic groups and attend community celebrations such as Summerfest in hopes of attracting recruits, Oliver said.
The office is also considering offering mileage reimbursement of up to $25 for poll workers, and elections officials might also visit the University of New Mexico in hopes of recruiting some of the younger crowd.
So what's the main draw in working a one-day gig that has long hours and short pay?
"In today's day and age, there's a lot of skepticism about elections and whether or not they are run properly," Oliver said. "For folks who are concerned that elections are run properly ... they should sort of put their money where their mouth is, if you will, and help us safeguard the integrity of the process."
Workers must attend a three-hour training session that will take place in the weeks just before Election Day, Oliver said.
Santa Fe and Torrance counties are also looking for poll workers, but the pay rate might be different than in Bernalillo County.
Contact the Bernalillo County Clerk's Office at 468-1290, the Santa Fe County clerk at (505) 986-6280 or the Torrance County clerk at 246-4735 for more information.
E-mail Story
Print Friendly
...go to bookmarks
