“So, there are 1,240 township clerks and 281 city clerks and, when we talk to them, about 51% of them say they need more poll workers.”
Dan Papineau is Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives at the Michigan Chamber. The organization is amplifying poll worker recruitment efforts across the state through a digital ad campaign and offering in-person presentations to community service groups.
“We’re seeing double-digit declines election after election in the number of folks offering up their time to be a poll worker, so it’s definitely becoming a problem.”
Poll workers are paid positions maintaining efficient polling location operations. Papineau says reasons for declining numbers vary from a lack of interest and information to early voting.
“It’s not just Election Day anymore where we need poll workers; it’s the nine days before the election where polls open up early and allow people to vote.”
You can learn more and sign up to be a poll worker online at Michigan.gov/DemocracyMVP or MIchamber.com
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