L.A. County Faces Shortage of Workers at Polling Places

The Labor Day weekend traditionally marks a turning point for candidates, who kick their campaigns into high gear for the final stretch to November.

But this year, candidates aren’t the only ones worried about what will happen on election day. The Los Angeles County officials responsible for staffing about 5,000 polling places are afraid that they won’t be able to get enough workers to do their part for democracy.

The number of election day poll workers--who are paid a $45 stipend for a lengthy day’s work--has dwindled in recent years, and officials are afraid this year could be the worst ever.

In last spring’s elections, staffers at some polling places had to draft voters into on-the-spot service. Election officials attribute the decline to busier lifestyles.

“It’s a real problem recruiting people when both the husband and wife have jobs,” said Jennifer Collins-Foley, executive liaison of the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s office.

Collins-Foley said the number of retirees who in the past have worked the polls has dropped off in recent years. “They’ve even been retiring as volunteers. Some of them are finding it harder to carry the boxes [with up to 20 pounds of voting materials] and aren’t able to work the long day,” she said.

The worker shortage is spread across Los Angeles County, from Compton to Beverly Hills.

There are few eligibility requirements for workers: volunteers must be registered voters or eligible to register.

While requirements are minimal, expectations are high. Workers must show up at polling places at 6 a.m. and remain on hand usually for about an hour after polls close at 8 p.m.

Ophelia Huff, who has been recruiting poll workers for Los Angeles County since the 1970s, said that many people find the shifts too long, and that people with jobs have complained that $45 is not enough money to offset the cost of taking a day off from work.

Poll workers have been paid $45 since 1992. Collins-Foley said the Registrar-Recorder would like to see that amount doubled, and may seek additional funding to do so from the Board of Supervisors.

Los Angeles County is among a handful of California counties that pay $45, the lowest daily rate for election workers in the state. Fresno’s $110 stipend is the highest, Collins-Foley said.

The county has had trouble recruiting poll workers for the past 20 years, she said, but the shortage has worsened in the last five years. Not only has it become harder to sign up volunteers, but those who initially sign up are more likely to quit before election day or simply not show up.

About 40% of those who agree to work at polls change their minds when the county contacts them 50 days before the election. Ten years ago, about 30% dropped out. On election day, an additional 10% fail to show up, about double the no-show rate of a decade ago, Collins-Foley said.

In April, Los Angeles County began a pilot program using high school students as election workers. Some students earn class credits for working, and are paid the same $45 stipend as other workers. About 200 students staffed the April and June elections, and Collins-Foley said she hopes at least twice as many will work in the Nov. 3 election.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Volunteer Poll Worker Requirements

Must be a registered voter or eligible to register.

Must be available to work from 6 a.m. until after 8 p.m. on Nov. 3/

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Volunteers receive a stipend of $45 to $60, depending on their assignment. Bilingual volunteers are especially needed. Interested residents should call (562) 462-2750.

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High School Teachers Asked to Nominate Student Volunteers.

Students may be selected by teachers to work at the polls if they are:

16 years old

A high school senior with a least a 2.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale

A U.S. citizen by election day

Student poll workers will receive a $45 stipend.

Teachers may call (562) 462-2512 for more information.

*Source: Los Angeles Times County registrar-recorder/county clerk.