The Federal Election Assistance Commission has declared August 16 as National Poll Worker Recruitment Day. In response, Lancaster County Election Commissioner David Shively is encouraging county residents to become a poll worker.
Shively says his office needs over 1,100 poll workers for 198 precincts in November. Poll workers must be a registered voter and able to work on Election Day from 7:00 a.m. until shortly after the polls close at 8:00 p.m. Physical requirements include good eyesight, good hearing, and the ability to sit for an extended period.
Shively indicated that poll workers enjoy the same civil leave protection as those who serve on jury duty. “Employers must allow an employee the time off to serve as a poll worker without threat of or loss of personal or holiday pay, sick leave, overtime pay, or any other form of penalty for absence when serving as an election poll worker,” Shively says.
The Election Commission Office will provide poll worker training classes prior to each state-wide election. Poll workers receive minimum wage for the thirteen-plus hours they work on Election Day plus a stipend for attending a training session.
Anyone interested in serving as a poll worker should contact the Lancaster County Election Commission at 402 441-7311 or stop by the Election Commission Office at 601 North 46th Street, Lincoln, NE 68503. Shively says they also have an application on their website at lancaster.ne.gov