By admin 
Poll workers are sought for the Nov. 3 general election in California, the Secretary of State’s office said.
Read more Flock Safety to tighten police access to license plate data amid privacy concerns
“Poll workers are essential to the administration of free and fair elections,” Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber said in a news release. “We couldn’t administer elections without them. I encourage Californians to apply to serve as a poll worker on our website or by contacting their county elections office to sign up.”
The office celebrated Tuesday, Aug. 11, as National Poll Worker Recruitment Day.
Poll workers are needed to “set up and close polling locations, help voters understand their rights, and protect the integrity of ballots and voting equipment,” the office said.
They must be a United States citizen or legal permanent resident and attend a training session. High school students also are allowed to serve as poll workers.
“Students have the opportunity to learn how elections are run and take an active role in making our democracy work by serving as a poll worker,” Weber said.
See the calendar of key dates for the Nov. 3 general election.
Here’s what to know:
What does a poll worker do?
Poll workers set up and close a polling place, help voters understand their rights, and protects ballots and voting equipment, the Secretary of State’s office said.
In Sacramento County, poll workers are classified as inspectors, clerks and ballot box closers.
Read more Woman accused of drunk driving in Highway 50 road worker death sent back to jail
Inspectors, who are paid $19.30 an hour, are assigned a vote center starting 10 days before election day and have the following duties in Sacramento County:
- Receive and check election supplies
- Prepare, open, maintain and close the vote center each day
- Enforce and follow state and federal laws by performing tasks as instructed
- Ensure equipment is set up and operated properly
- Assign tasks and breaks
- Issue and receive official ballots from the voters
- Return ballots and supplies to assigned drop-off site nightly
Clerks, who are paid $16.90 an hour and have a more flexible schedule, including working only on election day, have the following duties:
- Prepare, open, maintain and close the vote center each day
- Enforce and follow state and federal laws by performing tasks as instructed
- Issue and receive official ballots from the voters
Ballot box closers work in teams of two. They are paid $75 and mileage to travel to an assigned ballot drop box on election day and have the following duties:
- Close official ballot drop boxes at various locations throughout Sacramento County and securely transport ballots to your designated location
- Enforce and follow state and federal laws by performing tasks as instructed and follow proper security procedures
- Driver must possess a valid California Driver’s License and use a personal vehicle with proof of insurance
All poll workers must receive training and there is no deadline for applying.
Who is eligible to be a poll worker?
Adults must be a United States citizen or legal permanent resident and attend a training session to be a poll worker. In Sacramento County, you must be able to read and write in English and have access to transportation.
In order to serve as a poll worker, students must be a United States citizen or legal permanent resident, be at least 16 years old on Election Day, attend a public or private high school, have at least a 2.5 grade point average, obtain permission from their parents and school, and attend a training session.
Read more Do campus protest rules target students of color? Bill seeks data to find out