Only half of 800 persons needed have enrolled thus far
Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Ron Turner is asking Sarasota County voters “to answer the call to become poll workers” for the upcoming Aug. 18 Primary Election, he has announced.
“To date, the elections office has only enrolled approximately half of the 800 poll workers needed to support Sarasota County’s 98 voting precincts for the August election,” the release explains. “That’s why Turner is asking voters to step up,” it adds.
“Summer in Sarasota County is different from other communities because so many of our residents — and potential poll workers — are out of town during that time,” Turner pointed out in the release. “That’s great for those folks who enjoy summer elsewhere, but it puts a real strain on recruiting enough poll workers for a countywide election,” he added.
One of the reasons Turner is asking for poll workers at this time “is that signing up and being trained can take time,” the release explains. “Beyond that,” the release notes, “Florida law limits how close to an election supervisors of elections can add poll workers.”
“This is not the first time we are seeing a shortage of poll workers,” Turner said in the release. “We experience this almost every general election cycle, and it’s something we prepare for,” he pointed out. “Still, our numbers are not where I would like them to be,” he continued in the release, “so I’m asking voters to join our team for the primary election.”
Turner is reminding everyone that, to be a poll worker, an individual must be a registered voter of Sarasota County and must be able to read, write and speak English, “among other requirements,” the release continues.
“Being a poll worker is demanding, and Election Day requires your full attention,” Turner said in the release. “But the satisfaction you experience being a part of the elections process is why we have so many poll workers who come back year after year,” he pointed out. “And there is the added benefit that all poll workers are paid. That helps, too.”
To learn more about serving as a poll worker and/or to apply for the position, visit the Poll Worker section of SarasotaVotes.gov or call 941-861-8640.