Funding will provide for more than 4,000 new poll workers
Special to the American
Secretary of State Robin Carnahan, the state’s top election official, has announced $500,000 in new funding for student poll workers, providing up to 4,088 additional poll workers for the upcoming August 5 primary and the November general election.
Including the Student Poll Worker grant, the Secretary of State’s office has dedicated $2 million to reimburse local election authorities for the recruitment, hiring and training of up to 7,634 additional poll workers across the state.
“Poll workers are where the rubber meets the road on Election Day,” Carnahan said.
“There is nothing better students can do to learn about our great democracy than work side by side with our poll workers who have been participating for years. We expect high turnout this fall, and we will need many more people working the polls to ensure a smooth election for Missouri voters.”
More than 250 students have responded in Boone County – where University of Missouri-Columbia is located – alone.
“I decided to take part in the upcoming election not only by voting, but by serving as a poll worker as well,” said MU student Danielle Geneux.
“This will be the first presidential election that I’ve been able to vote in, and I couldn’t be more excited.”
She said she signed up to be a poll worker so she could become “a more active participant in the election process.”
“I sincerely hope to gain a better perspective on democracy, as well as insight into the roles that everyday citizens play in shaping our cities, states, country and government as a whole,” Geneux said.
“Voting is the single most important thing we can do to bring about change in our country, and I hope that by doing my part I can influence others to act as well.”
Any student is eligible under the new grant as long as they are at least 18 years old and a registered Missouri voter. The program is designed to include students currently enrolled at any university, college, junior or community college, high school, vocational or technical school, located within the state of Missouri.
Carnahan is pairing the student poll worker program with outreach to local election authorities.
“I am hopeful that all of Missouri’s 116 local election authorities will use the funding our office is providing,” Carnahan said.
“Having enough well-trained poll workers is the most important step they can take in preparing for smooth, efficient elections.”
The Election Assistance Commission has predicted that this year’s election will require two times the number of poll workers needed in 2004. Roughly 82 counties have signed up for extra funding offered by the Secretary of State’s Office.
Those interested in being poll workers should go to www.sos.mo.gov/pollworker/ to sign up.