As members of the Carter County Election Commission certified the results of the August 4 election, they also discussed a need for more poll workers heading into November.
The Election Commission reviewed the election results during the meeting and then voted unanimously to certify the results and forward them on to the state.
Administrator of Elections Tracy Harris told the group that while no major issues popped up during the August 4 election there was an issue with having a sufficient amount of poll workers. She said there was also an issue with some workers calling in and having to be replaced.
“We worked with a skeleton crew at every precinct,” Harris told the Election Commission members. “We need workers who are going to work.”
With the Presidential race expected to draw high voter turnout numbers, Harris said there is a need for more poll workers.
“We’re going to need several workers. We need to put an extra worker at every precinct,” she said. “This is going to be a huge election.”
Putting one additional worker at each of the precincts in the county means the Election Office would need to find at least 22 new poll workers. Harris said there also needs to be replacements found for some people who signed up to work but then failed to show up and also failed to call in to let anyone know they couldn’t make it.
Those would like to sign up to work the polls on election day can sign up at the Carter County Election Commission office, located at 116 Holston Avenue, or can download the form at http://www.cartercountytn.gov/government/departments-services/election-office/ under the forms link and mail it in to the office.
Harris said election workers are paid for each day of the election they work, which includes early voting as well as election day itself.
To qualify, those interested must attend training by the Election Office and live within Carter County.
Workers must be at least 17 years of age to qualify and if they are over the age of 18 they must be registered to vote in Carter County.
For more information, contact the Carter County Election Commission Office at 423-542-1822.