Sarasota County supervisor of elections calling for more poll workers as nation marks National Poll Worker Recruitment Day

Ron Turner reminds voters that 2024 will include three major elections

Supervisor of Elections Ron Turner. Image from the Supervisor of Elections website

In marking the Aug. 23 observance of National Poll Worker Recruitment Day, Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Ron Turner asked this week that Sarasota County residents sign up to be poll workers, “in advance of 2024’s busy election calendar,” as a news release from his office notes.

“The history of successful elections in Florida, and certainly in Sarasota County, is due in large part to the hard work and dedication of our poll workers,” said Turner in the release.

“Having an adequate number of poll workers to staff polling places on and before Election Day can ensure voters receive the assistance they need at the polls and can help provide a positive and trouble-free voting experience for all,” the release adds.

“Elections can require up to 1,000 poll workers to run smoothly, and in 2024, we have three major elections scheduled: the Presidential Preference Primary on March 19; the Primary Election next Aug. 20; and the presidential General Election on Nov. 5, 2024,” Turner pointed out in the release.

An individual may visit SarasotaVotes.gov/poll-workers or call 941-861-8640 to learn more about the responsibilities of the position and to apply to work as a poll worker, the release says. “Poll workers must be registered voters of the county where they apply to work,” the release explains. “Students who are at least 16 years old may apply to become student poll workers,” it also notes.

“We need thousands of poll workers to efficiently administer elections and we can always use more,” said Turner. “If you have ever wondered how the elections process works, consider becoming a poll worker and get a front row-seat while you’re helping Sarasota County vote.”

“National Poll Worker Recruitment Day is a day established by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to address the critical shortage of poll workers by encouraging people to help America vote by signing up to be a poll worker,” the release adds.