The Douglas County election commissioner is putting out the call for volunteer poll workers for the 2020 Presidential General Election on November 3.
To protect the health and safety of poll workers, face masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant wipes will be available, and procedures to incorporate social distancing and minimizing touch points will be implemented for both election workers and voters.
“While some long-time volunteers will be comfortable working the 2020 General Election with the provided safety equipment and protocols, others who are age 60 or older and/or have medical issues that make them vulnerable to illness understandably will choose not to work,” says Brian Kruse. “I encourage Douglas County voters to volunteer as poll workers to be part of the democratic process and to serve their neighbors and the community.”
On Election Day, poll workers report for duty at 7:00 a.m. and are provided a lunch break and a dinner break. They typically complete their assignment at 8:30 p.m.
All poll workers, both volunteers and voters drafted for election duty, are paid a minimum wage of $9.00 for each hour worked, including paid lunch and dinner breaks, receive an $18.00 stipend for completing the required training, and are afforded employment protections.
Training is provided via a one-hour video course available online on-demand and at scheduled times on community access television. Volunteers can complete the training at the date, time and location that’s most convenient and most comfortable for them.
More information about poll worker service is available at www.votedouglascounty.com. On the home page under Shortcuts, select “Election Worker.” To begin the process of becoming a volunteer poll worker, click the blue “New Worker Form” button. Voters may also call our office at (402) 444-VOTE (8683).