Push for election poll workers continues in Contra Costa County
The election is just a month away, but there is still time for those interested in serving their community and making $125 in the process to sign up to work at a local voter precinct on Election Day, Tuesday, November 4, 2014.
Contra Costa County is in need of civic-minded men and women ages 16 and older to be poll workers in all areas of the county. Poll workers are urgently needed in San Ramon and Danville. Elections officials also say that bilingual poll workers (English/Spanish, English/Japanese, English/Korean, English/Tagalog, English/Chinese, English/Vietnamese and English/Hindi) are especially needed.
“There is no better way to serve your community, nor a more important part you can play on Election Day than being a poll worker,” said Joe Canciamilla, Contra Costa Registrar of Voters. “It is our poll workers who serve to keep our voting process open, accessible and fair.”
No prior experience is necessary and training is provided. Poll workers receive a stipend for their service, which includes attending a two-hour required training and working 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Election Day. They will receive a special pin denoting their service. Serving as a poll worker does not have any bearing on Social Security or unemployment status, according to State law.
Poll workers don’t have to be politically active or belong to a political party, Contra Costa County Election officials said. Poll workers are required to remain neutral while working on Election Day.
County and State employees are encouraged to apply.
High School students who are at least 16 and have a grade point average of 2.5 or above may serve as poll workers. Student poll workers will receive a stipend and may fulfill community service requirements.
Those interested in being a poll worker must be registered to vote in California, or a permanent resident in the United States, according to state election law.
For more information, visit www.cocovote.us. To apply, email eo@vote.cccounty.us or call the Elections Division at (925) 335-7873.
how about making it mandatory for city, county and state workers to serve as poll workers?
Mr. Dietzel,
And who would do their job?
all of them work only 4 days a week. the fifth day is a furlough day. there it is. this makes 2 days a year. on top of it, they will be paid.
Ah, the things most of us take for granted……It’s so easy to forget that in many countries they either don’t have democratic elections,period;have rigged ones; OR,if there is a fair vote, suffer the chance of being bombed at the polling place.
Three cheers for being free and for those poll workers who do their part to make it happen.
Karl Deitzel has been a poll worker for many many years. It is something he has never bragged about but certainly shows his dedication to his adopted country.