Increase in poll workers eases official’s concerns before election
After running short-staffed in the June primary, Lehigh County election officials say they have seen a surge of civic-minded poll workers sign up — easing some concerns for the upcoming presidential election.
About 2,000 poll workers and interpreters are scheduled to work in hundreds of polling districts across the Lehigh Valley on Nov. 3. While election officials in Lehigh andNorthampton counties say a handful of positions are still vacant 25 days from the general election, both counties expressed confidence they will have enough manpower for in-person voting.
Northampton County officials report they are looking for more interpreters to assist Spanish-speaking residents but are otherwise set with about 900 poll workers. Lehigh County has about 1,100 poll workers signed up, but about 50 more are still needed, particularly in Slatington andSalisbury Township, election officials indicated. Lehigh County is also short on translators, they added.
“Things are so much better nowcomparedtoJune,”saidTim Benyo, Lehigh County’s chief clerk of elections.
Four months ago, Lehigh County had to make do with 50 fewer poll workers in the primary than it would ideally schedule. Historically, poll workers have been senior citizens, a demographic facing increased health risks from the pandemic. Many poll workers and judges of elections backed out as a result, and the county struggled to find replacements.
That’s been less of a problem this time around, said Maureen Linkhorst, a Lehigh County election clerk tasked with assigning poll workers in the county’s townships. Recently retired people and college students have stepped up, with many saying they feel it’s their civic duty to fill in during the pandemic, she said. Many judges of election have returned, apparently more comfortable with the risks after
months of living through the pandemic, she observed.
Some others have felt compelled to workaspoll workers due to their concerns about election fraud. WithPresident Donald Trump making unsubstantiated attacks against the integrity of the election process, somepeople see serving as a poll worker as a way of guarding against wrongdoing.
“I’ve hadpeople whoareworking say, ‘I don’t believe in mail-in voting. If I’m going to talk the talk,
I need to walk the walk,’” Linkhorst said.
Northampton County did not have a poll worker shortage in June and is set for poll workers in November, Northampton County RegistrarAmyCozzesaidthrough a spokesperson Friday.
The surge in poll workers for the Lehigh Valley is not unique. On Wednesday, Pennsylvania Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar said the state has seen 51,565 people offer to serve as poll workers, about 6,000 morepeoplethan there are positions. However, some counties and precincts are still shorthanded due to the intricacies of Pennsylvania’s Election Code.
Under the existing law, poll workers can only be assigned to work in their home polling district. A county could see thousands of people volunteer as poll workers, but if none of them live in a particular neighborhood or community, the county will still be shorthanded.
This rule was temporarily amended for the primary when poll workers were allowed to work anywhere in their home county. However, no such fix is in place for Election Day. A bill that would make the June change permanent, along with a host of other changes to the Election Code, has stalled in the state Senate’s Appropriation Committee, which is chaired by Sen. Pat Browne (R-Allentown).
Matt Szuchyt, a spokesperson for Browne, said Senate leadership is negotiating on a solution with House leaders and the Wolf administration but declined to go into further detail. Jenn Kocher, a spokesperson for Sen. Majority Leader Jake Corman, also declined to provide details on the ongoing negotiations of the bill. Lyndsey Kensinger, a spokesperson for Gov. TomWolf, confirmed the governor has been involved in the negotiations but provided few details on any progress.
None of the trio answered a question about whether they feel confident an amendment to the Election Codewouldbepassed in time for the general election.
Poll workers needed
Lehigh County is still looking for poll workers, particularly ones living in Slatington or Salisbury Township. It is also looking for people who speak both Spanish and English who can serve as interpreters. Those interested in applying should fill out an online form at https://www. lehighcounty.org/Departments/ Voter-Registration/Poll-Worker.
Northampton County is also in need of Spanish and English interpreters who can work Election Day. Those interested can apply by calling the county election office at 610-829-6260 or email election@northamptoncounty.org.