(Undated)– The midterm elections are less than three months away. In Iowa, recruiting continues for those interested in helping at polling sites. The state’s top elections official says they need a deep bench. In order to carry out a smooth election, Secretary of State Paul Pate estimates a roster of ten-thousand polling workers but adds that some padding is needed. He says while there are no critical shortages at the moment, they have to have contingencies…
He says in some counties they need more of an even balance of party representation among those helping out at these sites.
Nationwide, concerns have emerged in the past couple of years about poll-worker shortages due to the pandemic, or older workers deciding not to continue without enough younger populations to take their role. In becoming a poll worker, you receive training as well as a stipend for working. Pate says these individuals are the unsung heroes in carrying out elections, while adding they’re often your friends and neighbors. He hopes that helps in trying to quell some of the growing misinformation surrounding election integrity…
He says it’s also worth noting Iowa typically ranks high in running elections, along with having strong turnout. The state has roughly 17-hundred voting precincts.
(Courtesy Iowa News Service)
