By Becky Long
Publisher
The Nov. 8 general election may be months away, but the Election Board is busy shoring up its workforce for it. As it turns out, they need help.
“We need more workers,” said Clay County Election Board Director Rebecca Hall.
About 45 workers are needed for election day. The Election Board hires five workers for each of its nine precincts. They use two workers from each party, one as a judge and one as an assistant. The chief judge can be either party.
Working the election is a good way to support the democratic process, but it’s also a good source of extra income.
Assistants and emergency workers are paid $165 per day while judges make $175 and chief judges earn $235 which includes pick up and delivery of supplies.
Workers are also paid $25 for each training session they are required to attend, according to Hall.
“There is a general class training that everyone attends and then judges and chief judges also have a computer training class,” she said. “Computer skills are a must for judges and chief judges.”
Thursday, Oct. 20, begins the 17-day one-stop early voting period for the statewide general election, which ends at 3 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 5. Early voting is held at the Elections Board office, 75 Riverside Circle, Suite 3.
Hall only needs a few workers for one stop. They are paid $8.54 an hour.
“I try to have it where they work a four to five- hour shift for either the first or second week of one stop.” said Hall. “They would work every day during that week period.”
Election day is long. It starts at 6 a.m. and ends “when everything is done,” but there are perks.
In addition to getting paid, workers can sample local restaurant offerings. “It is a long day on election day, but all three meals are provided,” noted Hall.
If you’re interested in working the general election or early voting, call Hall at 389-6812 or email: rhall@ClayNC.us.