CLEVELAND, Ohio — Working the polls on election day may not seem like a thrilling job, but it’s a very important one.

What You Need To Know

  • Cuyahoga County Board of Elections says thousands of poll workers are needed each year to help elections run smoothly

  • There is an increased need this November election because of the pandemic

  • A new sanitation official has been added in counties across Ohio

  • Poll workers will receive an increased pay this year compared to last year

“This is our democracy. And if we don't have enough poll workers come out, what will happen, most likely, is that the Board of Elections will have to consolidate polling places, consolidate locations which will mean that we'll have more precincts at a particular polling place, which means more people coming to that polling place, which means longer and longer and longer lines,” said Armond Budish, Cuyahoga County executive.

Each year, thousands of poll workers are needed to help with different tasks on election day like transporting ballots and assisting voters. And this year, sanitizing is a new job because of the pandemic.

“We've created a new position called the sanitation election official. And their job is just to walk around all day, spraying down surfaces they'll have rubbing alcohol and spray bottles. They will spray door handles and flat surfaces, voting booths,” said Tony Perlatti, director of Cuyahoga County Board of Elections.

Perlatti said his county needs about 4,500 poll workers to be fully staffed. He knows the pandemic is a concern for most people and he wants to ease their worries.

“So our poll workers will be provided with face masks, face shield, safety glasses, hand sanitizer,” said Perlatti. “We'll have disposable items for people to sign the poll books. We're trying to take everything into consideration top to bottom.”

And as an incentive for people to sign up, Budish increased the compensation this year. Poll workers in the county will be paid $250—a $75 increase from last year.

“We're encouraging businesses and other places to allow their employees to come out and work at the polling places during election day. So for example, we at the county have offered to allow our employees. We're in fact encouraging our employees to come out and work at the polling places. They will get paid for their day's work. Plus they'll get the $250 for working at the polling place,” said Budish.

Working alongside the Office of the Executive and Board of Elections is the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs are encouraging people to not only help out as poll workers but also to vote. And on election day, the baskets on their home court will be replaced by voting booths.
 
“We will actually have the fieldhouse serve as a polling location come November 3rd. For ward three of downtown Cleveland. Above and beyond that we're working also with the board of elections for September 22nd, which is national voter registration day. We are going to have an event at the field house promoting voter registration. So we have a terrific space, social distancing, a very comfortable environment and setting, you know, probably one of the more, hopefully exciting polling locations to go out,” said Len Komoroski, chief executive officer of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Budish anticipates longer wait times this year because of the social distancing requirements, but said the more people that work the polling places, the faster and smoother things will go.

“We want people to vote early. We want people to vote by mail. It is safe despite what you may hear. It has been safe for years. It will be safe this year. And that's the best way we can keep lines down on election day as people vote early,” said Budish.

To apply to be a poll worker you can go to your local Board of Elections website. In Cuyahoga County, that website is https://boe.cuyahogacounty.us.