(WBBM NEWSRADIO) - The Cook County Clerk says her office is dealing with a critical shortage of poll workers in the weeks leading up to the November 8 General Election.
Clerk Karen Yarbrough said 4,000 poll workers have committed to working on Election Day. She added that 3,000 more workers are needed. Yarbrough is calling on military veterans to consider signing up for a shift.
"They've got skills, discipline, and they got the pride to serve. They can help us to restore a level of confidence in our electoral system and even make a little cash in the process," Yarbrough said.
She added that polling place technicians can make $365 dollars on election day, while election judges make $200. The day runs from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.
There are a number of reasons why poll workers are moving on. Some are worried about catching COVID-19 in a large group setting. Others are pushed away by overheated political rhetoric. But the overwhelming reason, Yarbrough said, is that many poll workers are older and are ready to do something else.
She added that early voting and vote by mail options take some strain off of polling places on Election Day.
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