Too few poll workers? Salt Lake County calls for volunteers

SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake’s County Clerk, Lannie Chapman says she’s struggling to find poll workers for new election dates this year.

To accommodate holding a special election to replace Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah, city elections have been pushed back to Sept. 5 and Nov. 21. Now, county clerks are competing with holidays to find poll workers. 

“It’s gonna be tough this year because both elections are going to take place near really family-centric holidays,” Chapman said. “Labor Day for the primary and then, of course, the general election will take place during the week of Thanksgiving.”

Poll workers need overtime during holidays

Chapman says it’s going to be hard for counties to staff up. Additionally, Chapman says she has to pay her staff more for working those holidays. And she has to come up with those extra funds.

“That wasn’t even something on my radar that I would have to think of how much more I’m gonna have to pay my full-time staff, let alone my poll workers,” Chapman added. 

Chapman says she recognizes the state made a tough decision to move the dates but now she’s calling for volunteers willing to work either around Labor Day or during the week of Thanksgiving.

“It’s gonna be really tough for us to not only to administer the elections but to find poll workers and volunteers to come and help out. It’s gonna be tough,” Chapman says. “But I know one thing about Utahns, is we stick together.”

Volunteers can apply on the county’s elections website.

Read more: 

• Party switching for special Congressional Election possible until Utah law changes
• Gov. Cox says he’s willing to call a special session to change Utah special election law
• Cox issues proclamations for new election schedule to fill vacancy of Rep. Chris Stewart
• County clerks report more poll watchers, scrutiny ahead of Utah primary