State and local officials express need for poll workers ahead of primary election

JACKSON, TN (WNBJ) - State and local level officials are gearing up for primary elections and a very important part of that preparation is getting poll workers.

With the primary elections happening this May, many officials are putting extra emphasis on the need for poll workers.

“In order to run an election in the state of Tennessee, it takes over 10,000 poll workers. We need these elections heroes to step up every couple of years to help us manage this election to make sure Tennesseans can cast their vote in a way that it meets the highest test of integrity and make sure people have confidence in their election,” said Tre Hargett, the Tennessee Secretary of State.

The Tennessee Secretary of State explains who can be an election worker.

“In Tennessee, anyone over the age of 16 can be a poll worker. However, if you are age 18 or older, we do need you to be a registered voter,” said Hargett.

In Madison County, the election commission is preparing for the May 3rd primary election.

The administrator of elections for the county talks about incentives to work as a poll worker.

“Well, we gave them a raise. They are now making $105 dollars for the day and $135 dollars if they are the officer of elections. They haven’t had a raise in a very long time,” said Lori Lott, the Administrator of Elections with the Madison County Election Commission.

The election commission explains what is required to become a poll worker.

“So, they would have to come to the training, and they get paid $25 dollars for the training. That is included in that $105 dollars. We have new voting machines so everyone will be going through a training process,” said Hargett.

The Madison County Election Commission will be hosting a meeting to decide on early voting hours and appointing poll workers on Wednesday, February 2nd at 10 a.m. at the West Tennessee Ag and Research Center Auditorium.