Poll workers sought in Santa Cruz County for November elections

The Santa Cruz County Elections Department is seeking poll workers for the upcoming election on Nov. 4.

To serve in the polls, a person must be a registered voter, a legal resident, or must be a high school student, age 16 or over, a U.S. citizen, with at least a 2.5 grade point average.

The county is especially in need of people who can work at the Summit and in Watsonville, as well as people who speak Spanish, Mandarin, or Tagalog.

There are three positions available. The inspector is the person in charge of the polling place who must have transportation and ability to pick up and return election equipment. The electronic voting specialist is the person who manages the voting equipment on Election Day, and at least three clerks are needed at each polling place to process and assist voters.

Polling places open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Poll workers must report to duty an hour prior to opening the polls and must stay two or more hours after the polls close to prepare the equipment and election materials for return to the central counting location. Poll workers are provided breaks throughout the day.

Poll workers are paid $75 for clerks and $100 for inspectors, plus an additional $20 for attending the training class and $30 for the EVS training, if they complete their service at the polls

For more information or to apply, call Lynn Stipes at 454-2416, e-mail her at lynn.stipes@santacruzcounty.us or call Jana Vargas at 454-2513 or email her at jana.vargas@santacruzcounty.us

Information can also be obtained at the Elections Department’s office at 701 Ocean St., Room 210 in Santa Cruz or online.