Grand Rapids City Clerk looks to hire an estimated 300 election workers

With local and statewide elections scheduled for May 8 and August 7, and the presidential election on November 6, Grand Rapids City Clerk Lauri S. Parks says she's looking for 200 to 300 people to work at the polls.

Some 500 election workers are already on the books, Parks says, and not all existing and new workers will be needed in May and August. But at least 200 new workers will be needed in November to accommodate a greater voter turnout for the presidential bid.

"An applicant must be a registered voter in Kent County and they have to be available to work on election day," Parks says. "They also have to come to mandatory training prior to working, and indicate whether they are a republican or democrat, because when we place the workers we have to have political balance at the precincts."

This year, a few polling precincts will have electronic poll books, so Parks says the city is looking for some of the applicants to have experience operating computers. Over the next couple of years, the city will transition all polling locations to e-poll books.

Parks says she always has more workers available than are needed because she needs to fill in for workers who have family obligations, vacations or illness. Others only want to work certain elections.

The election day workday begins at 6 a.m. and ends sometime after the polls close at 8 p.m. and the closing work is complete. Workers get breaks for lunch and supper, and earn $125 per day.

"It's a wonderful experience; people really enjoy it," Parks says. "They're always surprised at how detailed everything is that goes into the election and how many checks and balances are already in place."

To apply, pick up an application at the City Clerk's Office, 300 Monroe Ave. NW, 2nd floor (City Hall) or click here.

Source: Lauri S. Parks, Grand Rapids City Clerk
Writer: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor