Workers needed

Marla Grady’s mother was a poll worker.

And Grady has been one, too, for the last 15 to 20 years.

One day each year, she makes her way to the Redkey polling site to work. She loves the experience for the chance to connect with other poll workers and community members.

“I get to meet people that I don’t normally see on a day-to-day basis,” Grady said.

She is among a few community members who regularly work the polls. And with election day approaching, Jay County still needs more help.

Jay Circuit Court clerk Jon Eads explained the county needs to employ between 45 and 50 poll workers for the Nov. 3 election.

Indiana law states in order for someone to apply to work the Jay County polls, they must be registered to vote in Jay County, live in Jay County and be 18 years old or older.

Each of the 10 polling sites — they are condensed from 18 precincts — must have a minimum of two clerks, two judges and one inspector.

Clerks run the poll pads and help voters sign in. Judges take the voter’s ticket and lead them to the poll machine. Inspectors act as supervisors for the day.

Poll clerks and judges make $125, and inspectors make $140, unless there are more than three precincts at their polling site, in which case they earn $150. Meals are provided. All workers make an additional $10 for coming to the training meeting, which is scheduled for the morning of Oct. 31, Eads said.

So far, he has several older citizens signed up to work. He’d like to see some younger faces join the group this year.

The Hoosier Hall Pass, which is a poll worker recruitment program, allows high school students to help on election day. Students must:

•Be a U.S. citizen.

•Live in Jay County.

•Have at least a 3.0 GPA.

•Be 16 or 17 years old.

•Have written approval from principal and guardian.

Two years ago, 28 of the 50 poll workers were new, Eads said. He explained that the job isn’t too difficult to learn because it’s repetitive, but the long day tends to be the biggest challenge for workers. There are a few times he’s scheduled workers for half days, although he’d rather them work the full day. (Polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 6 p.m.)

He worked the polls as an inspector for three different elections before he ran for county clerk.

It’s what inspired him to pursue his current position.

The primaries earlier this year were different because of COVID-19 concerns, Grady explained. Redkey voters moved to Dunkirk. Despite the pandemic, she thought the turnout was great.

Masks were not yet mandated by Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb, she recalled, but she estimated about half of attendees wore facial coverings. She and other poll workers wore masks and worked from behind plexiglass barriers.

The previous polling site location changes will not be in effect for the upcoming general election, Eads noted.

Grady encouraged community members to vote. She also emphasized anyone interested in working the polls should apply.

“You should do it,” she said. “You make a lot of friends, talk to a lot of people… I think it’s a wonderful thing, and it’s one day. You can give up a day to do your civic duty.”

Community members can sign up to work the polls by contacting the county clerk’s office at (260) 726-4951.