Santa Barbara and SLO Counties experience shortage of poll workers before primary election
SANTA MARIA, Calif. - With the primary election approaching on March 3, both Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties are urgently searching for poll workers.
With only 46 days until the election, San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder Tommy Gong said they are short of workers.
Officials in the Santa Barbara County elections office also said they are seeking around 100 more workers.
"The election is earlier, people are just coming off of Christmas and New Years," said Gong. "They don't know quite yet that the election is happening in less than two months."
San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties both employ about one thousand poll workers every election.
Poll workers are paid a $20 stipend for training and around $100 on election day.
Every poll worker takes a two hour training about two weeks before the election.
They must be 18-years-old or older and registered to vote or a legal permanent resident. Poll workers must also not have any felonies.
Gong said "this election is one for the ages because it's a presidential partisan primary and voters are very engaged."
Also memorable, it's the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, giving women the right to vote. Poll workers will be given a pin commemorating the occasion.
Adopt-a-Poll groups are very encouraged. Groups of five people can fully staff a polling location and earn around $500. Gong said it is a great way for organizations to fundraise.
Student poll workers ages 16 and older are also welcome. They earn a certificate for helping out and their school absence is excused.
New this election, polling locations will use accessible machines for voters with disabilities. The machines have audio headphones and a handheld tactile device.
This year, there is a record number of voters mailing in their ballots in San Luis Obispo County. "Of our 175,000 voters, 135,000 are going to receive their ballot in the mail," said Gong.
Recent legislation means voters will not have to pay postage for their ballots.
If you or a group are interested in working the polls, you can contact the county clerk's office.