The Johnson County Election Office is looking for more than 2,000 election workers to serve voters at polls during the primary and general elections.
Earlier this week, Johnson County Election Commissioner Ronnie Metsker put out a call for people to sign up.
Election workers are needed fro the Aug. 2 primary and the Nov. 8 general election. Voting in the August primary will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Presidential election polls in November will open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.
Workers are given a stipend of at least $135 for their public service.
"This is a great opportunity for people to come and be a part of helping run these elections," Metsker explained.
Metsker said almost every election cycle presents a need for election workers. "People get sick, plans change," he said. "It's a group with high attrition."
Metsker explained that many of the election workers now are senior citizens. With a push for more workers happening, he hopes more teenagers sign up.
"We think this is a great opportunity for our younger American citizens to get involved in this process at an early part of their life," he said.
Van De Kerkhove is one of the current election workers reaching out to others to try and help with recruiting efforts. Kerkhove is a seasoned veteran of running elections, and she said she hopes others answer the call.
"I've been working Johnson County elections since I was a teenager," said Kerkhove, whose mother also used to help run the polls.
Kerkhove said her passion for helping out at the polls stems from a love for Election Day. "I'm passionate about elections," she said. "It is my God-given right and I can vote for whoever I want."
A call for election workers is one of the many things to get done before voters head out to the polls. On Thursday, Metsker showed off 600 new poll pads that will provide a digital way for voters to check in before they place their ballots this year. Inside a warehouse at the Johnson County Election Office, about 2,400 voting machines are continuing to be examined and worked on before being set up at polling districts.
Metsker explained that Election Day is something that takes lots of planning, but it's worth it in the end.
"[Election Day] is the fundamental of what makes our nation great," he said. "It's the opportunity to speak out and make my voice be heard through the power of my vote."
To be considered, you must:
- Be registered in the election worker pool
- Complete required training
- Receive a polling place assignment from the Election Office.
Workers must be available for the entire Election Day, beginning at least one hour prior to the opening of the polls.
For more information and a link to the application form, visit www.vote4joco.org/apply, call (913) 715-6836, or email electionworker@jocoelection.org.
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Tom Dempsey can be reached at Tom.Dempsey@KSHB.com.
