DELAWARE, Ohio — ​With days until the 2021 General Election, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose surprised poll workers Friday, during a training session at the Delaware County Board of Elections.

​​Ohio poll workers are required to go through a 2-hour, 30-minute training session ahead of each election. 

"All over the state, classes like the one I just spoke in front of are occurring today and over the weekend to train those tens of thousands of poll workers who are, once again, going to conduct a secure, accessible election Tuesday,” said LaRose.

According to the Secretary of State's Office, for this election, the goal number of poll workers is 41,734. The minimum number of workers is 33,354. As of Friday, there are 33,504 workers signed up.

“These are the heroes of our democracy, these are the people that make it possible,” said LaRose. 

Tim Browning has been a poll worker for eight years; he says he enjoys being involved in the voting process.

“I think it’s the interaction with the voters and the workers," said Browning. "And I like the accountability of the whole process."

He's says he's confident in his work and in poll workers across the state to make sure Election Day goes smoothly.

"I think we’re receiving very good training and I think we follow the rules very well,” said Browning. “Your vote does count. We strive to do our job correctly and I enjoy being apart of that team.

Secretary LaRose talked to the group about election integrity. After the 2020 General Election, the state’s voting results audit showed a 99.98% accuracy rate. 

Ohio is still in need of poll workers ahead of Tuesday. For more information, visit www.ohiosos.gov.