San Diego City Wire

The Registrar of Voters is seeking additional poll workers for the upcoming November Presidential General Election. Poll workers play a crucial role in elections and can serve their community while earning a stipend.

There is a particular need for poll workers who are bilingual in English and Chinese, Vietnamese, or Filipino to work at vote centers throughout the county. Additionally, the Registrar’s office needs poll workers at select vote centers who are bilingual in English and Laotian.

Federal law mandates that the Registrar’s office provide bilingual speakers and voting materials to voters who speak Spanish, Filipino, Vietnamese, and Chinese. State and County requirements also necessitate Arabic, Japanese, Korean, Laotian, Somali, and Persian (Farsi and Dari) speakers at select vote centers across the county. Consequently, the Registrar’s office is recruiting poll workers who are bilingual in English and at least one of these languages.

Under the Voter’s Choice Act, vote centers have replaced traditional polling places. Vote centers open for an extended period before Election Day. Therefore, poll workers are needed to staff vote centers for up to 11 days in the two weeks leading up to Election Day.

Poll workers who work at a vote center between Oct. 26 and Nov. 4 will receive a stipend of $145 for each day of service. On Election Day itself (Nov. 5), poll workers will receive a stipend of $240 due to extended hours. Bilingual poll workers will receive an additional $5 for each day of service at the vote center with an increase to $10 on Election Day.

Applicants must be 18 years old, U.S citizens registered to vote in California or lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States. They must also provide their own transportation to their assigned vote center.

The Registrar is seeking individuals who are team players with strong leadership and customer service skills. Applicants should exhibit flexibility, patience, and maintain high integrity levels at all times. Poll workers must represent the Registrar of Voters professionally and nonpartisanly.

Applications are available at sdvote.com. For more information, call (858) 565-5800 or email pollworker@sdcounty.ca.gov.

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