It’s a presidential election year, which will bring a higher number of voters to the polls for both the March primaries and the general election in November. WHQR’s Isabelle Shepherd reports that New Hanover is seeking staff to cover the county’s 43 precincts.
It takes up to 430 officials to monitor and run elections in New Hanover County. Elections Director Derek Bowens says there are still roles to fill:
"129 of those officials are appointed by law, and they serve two-year terms. They work as chief judges and judges. The rest are assistants, and we play, the Board of Elections plays a large part in the recruitment of those individuals. So, we’re currently still recruiting. We’re trying to reach our numbers, and if anyone’s interested, certainly they can come to the Board of Elections’ office and we have an application online. We’d love to have you join. It’s a paid position. I think most people think it’s volunteer, but you do get paid."
Bowens says that precinct assistants earn 140 dollars for both mandatory training and Election Day service. 129 of those officials are appointed by law, and they serve two-year terms. They work as chief judges and judges. The rest are assistants, and we play, the Board of Elections plays a large part in the recruitment of those individuals. So, we’re currently still recruiting. We’re trying to reach our numbers, and if anyone’s interested, certainly they can come to the Board of Elections’ office and we have an application online. We’d love to have you join. It’s a paid position. I think most people think it’s volunteer, but you do get paid.
Bowens says that precinct assistants earn 140 dollars for both mandatory training and Election Day service.
To become a precinct official, fill out the Board of Elections application: http://elections.nhcgov.com/about-us/poll-workers/.