BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (IUSTV News) – As the election approaches, the job of a poll worker is more important than ever.
The Monroe County Election Supervisor Karen Wheeler says, "If we didn't have the poll workers, all the work that we wanted in the election would not happen. It takes the community to step forward and be able to be a part of it."
Poll workers are assigned a voting site and oversee the security of the voting process.
But counties across the country, like Monroe county, struggle to have enough poll workers during the election, which is no new trend.
"You have to have poll workers because there's different steps involved in voting and if there's no one there to manage those steps, then the voter won't be able to vote" said Kathy Ruark, a Monroe County election lead.
The first step for the in-person voting process requires voters to verify all their information. Then, they will get a barcode printed and place it on a packet. Voters will then take their packet and scan their barcode to receive their ballot. Voters then make their way over to a voting booth to fill out their ballot in privacy.
Ruark added, “everyone that works in here no matter what their position, the reason that we are here is to make it as easy as possible for people to vote."
Both Democrats and Republicans fill these positions and receive training to ensure election integrity.
"When we come to the election it is never about politics. The whole thing seems like it is, it is carrying on the election making it successful and keeping the integrity of the election” Wheeler said.
To be a poll worker in Monroe County, you must be a registered voter and resident here and be at least 18 years old.
