Poll workers still needed for the Missouri Primary on Feb. 5

Wayman Delanore Robertson, 70, has been working as a poll worker off and on for the past 10 years.

He said the hours are long, and helping voters understand the system can be tedious at times. But he likes knowing that he is helping the county perform its election duties.

“It’s a good opportunity to meet voters and to help and assist them to have a good voting experience,” Robertson said.

Robertson was one of 18 people who gathered on Tuesday to be trained as a poll worker for the Feb. 5 presidential primary in Missouri.

Poll workers are still needed for the upcoming primary in Boone County, and County Clerk Wendy Noren said Republican workers are in especially high demand.

A minimum of six workers — three Democrats and three Republicans — are needed for each of the 75 polling locations in Boone County. Duties include getting voters the proper ballot, signing the precinct registry and assisting voters with special needs. Independents can work at the polls but may not be able to do all of the duties.

Poll workers must be registered as voters in Boone County and are required to take a four-hour training session.

Hours on election day are 5 a.m. to after the polls close at 7 p.m. Workers receive a base pay of $120 for the day. Supervisors can make up to $197.

According to the County Clerk’s Office, new laws require that employers let poll workers off work on the day of elections as long as the workers have given notice seven days in advance.

If you are interested in working at the polls in the upcoming election, call the Boone County Clerk’s Office at 886-4377.

There will continue to be a demand for poll workers after the presidential primary. Noren said her office will be in need of more experienced poll workers before the November election.