Local poll workers prepare for election day

MONTGOMERY COUNTY — Montgomery County poll workers gathered Thursday for training ahead of the upcoming election.

One of Montgomery County’s over 1,600 poll workers, Jennifer Hale, attended the class.

“I saw they needed volunteers and I thought ‘why not?’” Hale told News Center 7.

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She learned things including how to check in voters, how to provide provisional ballots and how to deal with special situations.

“They are learning the basics of being a poll worker and democracy really itself, really how we administer that,” said Peyton Manger, Montgomery County Board of Elections training manager.

Manger says the poll workers are crucial for election day.

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“There are many, many locations, and not enough of us full time staff. We need them. We want to be able to be accessible for every voter, and the way we do that is by having a well trained and well staffed location on election day,” Manger said.

For that Tuesday, Montgomery County board of Elections Director Jeff Rezabek says the county had enough people sign up to help.

“I think they really believe that it’s a civic duty to help out and make sure the elections are safe and secure for every voter in Montgomery County,” Rezabek said.

Starting pay for the workers is about $120, but Hale said she’s not in it for the money.

“I’m doing it because it’s the right thing to do,” Hale said.

The Montgomery County Board of Elections said it’s not too late to sign up to be a poll worker, and even if you don’t get in for this election you’ll get in for another one.

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