Save Democracy, Work A Poll. Clark County Is Hiring Election Workers

By April Corbin Girnus, The Nevada Current

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Aug. 18, 2020

Clark County is hiring upwards of 1,500 people to work at polling places this fall.

Only 1,600 people have signed up to work for the county during its two-week early voting period and on Election Day, which is Tuesday, November 3. Clark County needs an estimated 3,100 workers, according to a press release.

Every active registered voter in Nevada should receive a ballot in the mail, which they can fill out and return via mail or in-person at designated dropoff locations. However, Clark County will offer at least 35 in-person early voting sites and more than 100 in-person polling places on Election Day in order to accommodate those who need or prefer to physically cast their ballots.

Workers must be at least 16 years old, able to work long hours (about 14 hours) and complete training ahead of time. They cannot be political candidates or relatives of candidates.

Spanish and Tagalog speakers are especially needed.

Workers will earn $14 per hour during early voting, which runs Oct. 17 to 30. Workers on Election Day will earn $225 to $250 depending on their duties. According to the county, poll workers will be “signing in voters, assisting voters, monitoring for compliance with public health directives such as wearing masks and social distancing, and sanitizing equipment.”

Those amounts reflect an increase in pay for poll workers. In prior elections, Clark County paid $10 per hour during early voting and $175 to $200 on Election Day.

Election officials across the country have said hiring poll workers will be especially challenging this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Many poll workers are retirement-age and opting not to work this year because they are at greater risk of death or complications from covid-19.

At the same time, many are predicting record turnout.

“Every election we depend upon thousands of residents to work the polling places,” County Registrar of Voters Joe Gloria said in a statement. “Voting is the foundation of our democracy and working a polling place is a way for you to help your fellow citizens exercise their right to vote.”

Anyone interested can contact the Clark County Elections Department at ElectionVolunteers@ClarkCountyNV.gov or (702) 455-2815, or apply online at ClarkCountyNV.gov/vote.

This story was originally published by the Nevada Current. For more stories from the Nevada Current, visit NevadaCurrent.com.