SAN DIEGO — The November 5 general election is less than six weeks away.
Voter turnout is expected to be high and the San Diego County Registrar says poll workers are needed specifically those are bilingual poll workers.
“Our poll workers are the backbone of election, they bring the opportunity for folks to exercise their right to vote,” said Cynthia Paes, San Diego County Registrar.
There are about 2,500 poll workers who monitor the checks and balances at the polls at the 235 voting centers in the County.
To ensure that the 1.9 million registered voters in San Diego County have equal access, the County is in need of bilingual poll workers.
This will help voters better understand a complex ballot in their native language or through a poll worker who can translate in their primary language.
“We have the need for Spanish, Filipino, Vietnamese and Chinese speakers, as well as our state covered languages, which includes Arabic, Korean, Japanese, Somali, Persian and Laotian,” said Paes. “If you’re bilingual in any language, we can use you."
Paes added there is a bigger need for poll workers who speak English and Filipino or Vietnamese, Chinese or Laotian.
A poll workers responsibilities include a two-day training. Poll workers can receive a stipend of $145 for each day of service. On Election Day poll workers can receive a $240 stipend due to longer hours. Bilingual poll workers can make an additional $5 to $10.
There are federal and state laws in place to keep voters and poll workers safe. Student workers as young as 16 years old are eligible to be poll workers on Election Day.
“They will need to set up their vote center, as well as take it down after Election Day. Assisting voters, following the procedures that they’re taught and interacting with the public,” said Paes.
Important election dates
- 9/26: The county will mail its voting pamphlet
- 10/7: Registered voters will start to receive their mail ballot
- 10/24: Deadline to register to vote
- 10/26: Voting Centers open and will stay open during election hours until the polls close on November 5.
- There is no deadline to apply to be a poll worker.
- To learn more about poll workers in San Diego County click here.