The Kansas City Board of Election Commissioners needs to recruit 300 more election day workers for the upcoming August and November elections or voters may see longer wait times with fewer polling locations.
According to KCBE up to 1,200 workers are used around the city on election days. Workers fill various roles, such as, greeting people, picking up ballots and supplies from polling places, assisting voters, and overseeing polling places.
Workers can earn $180 and up for working on Election Day and attending one training session, but the hours are long.
"Up to 15 hours," said republican Director of elections Shawn Kieffer. "Start at 5 o'clock in the morning, you go to about 8 o'clock at night."
A new recruiting tactic
KCBE for the first time is trying to lure volunteers by turning the service into a fundraising opportunity called "Adopt a poll."
"If an organization were to get 5 to 6 workers to volunteer to work the 'Adopt a Poll' they can earn up to $1,000 for that fundraiser in one day," said Kieffer.
How to become an election day worker
First, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be a registered voter in Kansas City within Jackson County
- Indicate your party affiliation (Democrat or Republican)
- Be able to read, write and speak English fluently
- Have access to transportation
- Attend the mandatory training session
Then, you can complete the election day worker application on the KCEB’s website, here.
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