Poll workers needed so Nov. 5 election can work

No matter your political leanings, everyone can agree the Nov. 5 general election is an unusually important one for our communities, states and country. From a new president to members of Congress, county commissioners, sheriffs and more, the 2024 general election is an important event in our history.
There are calls from all sides to ensure this is a fair, legal, accurate election in which there is absolutely no room for doubt when all the results are tallied.
But who makes that happen?
Poll workers and state/local elections officials. Theirs is an enormously important job.
But, in the Mountain State anyway, there are not enough poll workers.
In fact, elections officials often have to beg residents to get involved — just to ensure we have fair elections.
Last week, West Virginia Secretary of State Mac Warner issued a plea. Poll worker recruitment efforts are still under way, as there are shortages in several counties: Berkeley, Boone, Cabell, Fayette, Grant, Hampshire, Kanawha, Marion, Monroe, Nicholas, Ohio, Pleasants, Putnam, Randolph, Ritchie, Summers, Wayne and Wetzel. If you’re reading this and live in those communities, it would help all of us if you would, well, help.
“Statewide, it takes over 8,000 total paid poll workers of all political parties to run an election,” Warner said. “Poll workers play a critical role in ensuring elections are run properly and securely, and are the lifeblood of successful elections. They deserve the utmost respect and admiration for their services to our communities.”
If respect and the knowledge you are playing a crucial part in our election process are not enough, poll workers are also paid for their training time and work. Doing your civic duty can lead to a few hundred extra dollars in your pocket while also serving your community and state.
If you are eligible and willing, sign up at GoVoteWV.com and wait to be contacted to schedule in-person training by a county clerk.
You can also call your county clerk’s office directly, if you so choose..
“Poll workers are essential to ensure elections are a success,” says the U.S. Election Assistance Commission.
In counties where there are shortages, that success will be harder to achieve.
Think about it.
And, if you are able, go sign up ASAP. We need workers to help ensure the polls remain secure and that all votes are counted.