PASCACK VALLEY—County elections officials tell Pascack Press they hope to recruit up to 300 student poll workers over the next month to help staff busy polling stations during the Nov. 5 presidential election.
If you’re a student who wants to learn about elections, how voting machines work, election security, and democracy in America — plus make a little pocket cash — then consider attending one of up to 16 training sessions to be offered at local high schools by staff from the county Board of Elections.
Richard Miller, chair of the Board of Elections, said high school students will be paid $50 to attend a poll worker training class and $160 to work an eight-hour day at the polls on Nov. 5. But there’s a catch, Miller said. The student poll workers will only be paid for their training if they work an eight-hour day on Election Day.
“For the primary in June, we had 200 students working at the polls helping out voters,” Miller said. He said elections officials recruited from eight schools to boost poll worker coverage during primary elections and hope to reach at least 16 in September.
Miller said they contact school principals and work with them to bring the program to local high schools. High schools where student poll workers will be sought include Teaneck, Emerson, Bergen County Academies, Ramsey, Mahwah, Garfield, Lodi, Cliffside Park, Northern Valley Regional High School, and Northern Highlands High School.
Miller said more details about high schools being visited would be publicized soon. For more information on the program, call the county Board of Elections staff at (201) 336-6225.
Miller said generally the students who join up will work the polls in their hometowns. He said some school supervisors will visit the students during their day as poll workers.
“I can’t think of a better way to get people involved in an election. The students’ participation has been great and the enthusiasm and feedback we get from them is nothing but positive,” Miller said. He added that “a few former students” have come back as college students and worked the polls.
Miller said election officials try to run an outreach session during the morning and afternoon while recruiting in high schools. He said though the program is a lot of work and time, getting high school students involved and active in an election makes it all worthwhile.
Miller said people interested in being poll workers should consider attending a New York Giants welcome breakfast at MetLife Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 24, at 9 a.m., where ex-Giants will rally to boost poll worker numbers and help voters register.
“It’s a Giant push for the election to get more poll workers,” quipped Miller. He said he expected the Giants would be promoting the event soon. He said other North Jersey counties would also be there to recruit poll workers and register voters.
Miller reminded voters that there will be nine days of early voting before Election Day, Nov. 5, from Saturday, Oct. 26, through Sunday, Nov. 3. Bergen County offers nine early voting locations, including River Vale and Woodcliff Lake. Hours are Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.