Poll Workers Needed for August Election

About one-third of Putnam County election worker will skip the August election.

Election Administrator Michele Honecutt told the Election Commission that equates to around 70 workers.

Although they have filled many of those positions, Honeycutt said the state is requiring county election officials to double their normal workforce

“The state is saying that on election day, people might get up and change their mind or someone might be sick,” Honeycutt said. “So we need the extra workers so we can have them fill-in. What we are to do is train everyone. A certain group will be standbys, so we might not use them, but we might.”

Tennessee recently began allowing people as young as 16 to be poll workers. Honeycutt said that change, along with other regulatory changes, is helping fill the void.

“Anyone can be a worker,” Honeycutt said. “Even 16-year-olds now. The state changed some regulations. Any county worker, as long as they’re not working for someone on the ballot this time. Any city worker, it’s the same thing, and any state worker. That has expanded quite a bit.”

The Election Commission voted on a partial list of poll workers for the August election Wednesday. Honeycutt said although some training for poll workers can be done online, it is important for new workers to become familiar with the voting technology.

“It’s hands-on with a lot of it,” Honeycutt said. “There’s the machines and the poll pads. Everyone has a poll pad in front of them. They’ll be at the machines. We will ask them to wear masks. If they don’t have a mask, we will get one for them. And we have trainers that are there.”

Honeycutt said people wanting to be poll workers can download a registration form online at the Election Commission’s website. You can also go to the Election Commission Office on County Services Drive to register.

https://putnamcountytn.gov/sites/default/files/downloadable/Election%20Official%20Application.pdf