January 11, 2024
By: Dwayne Page
DeKalb County Administrator of Elections Dustin Estes is calling on residents willing to serve as poll workers for the March 5 DeKalb County Republican and Democratic Primaries and the Tennessee Presidential Preference Primary.
DeKalb County needs approximately 70 to 75 poll workers each election. “We need people of DeKalb County to step up and help out,” Estes said. “If you are looking for temporary work, we need your help.”
Those who have been long-time workers, who have not been contacted and would still like to work again this year are asked to call the local election office to report if they wish to work in March, and potential new workers who wish to join the list are encouraged to do the same. The phone number is 615-597-4146. Current or interested workers may also email the office at dekalb.commission@tn.gov.
The election office will provide training for all poll workers before the election.
WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF A POLL WORKER?
Poll workers conduct assigned duties at a polling site on Election Day (and early voting). Duties can include processing voters, monitoring the voting equipment, or include a greeter who assists with answering questions and directing voters to the voting areas.
WHAT ARE THE HOURS OF WORK?
Polling places on Election Day open at 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Generally, the hours are 7a.m. (to get the polls ready for opening) until about 7:30 at night or possibly later in the case of the November election.
ARE POLL WORKERS PAID OR VOLUNTEER?
Poll workers are compensated for working and are compensated for attending training sessions.
WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS TO BE A POLL WORKER?
To be a poll worker, a person must:
• Be a registered voter
• Be able to read and write in the English language
• Not be a candidate
• Be 16 years of age or older
• Not work directly under the supervision of a county or municipal elected official who is on the ballot
• Not be a close relative of a candidate. Close relatives are defined as the spouse, parent, father-in-law, mother-in-law, child, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandparent, grandchild, brother, sister, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, uncle, aunt, nephew, or niece of a candidate on the ballot or a write-in candidate.
HOW DO I BECOME A POLL WORKER?
If you are interested in becoming a poll worker, you should apply by contacting the DeKalb County Election Office at 615-597-4146 or by email at dekalb.commission@tn.gov. A postal mail request can also be accepted. The mailing address is: DeKalb Election Commission, P.O. Box 549, Smithville, TN 37166
Poll officials are appointed at the county level by the Election Commission and those selected will be notified by letter at the appropriate time.
If you plan to vote in the March 5 DeKalb County Republican and Democratic Primaries and the Tennessee Presidential Preference Primary you have less than a month to make sure you are properly registered.
The voter registration deadline for the March 5th primaries is February 5.
Voters who have moved within DeKalb County or have had a name change since the last time they voted can update their registration online at GoVoteTN.com or call the DeKalb County election office at 615-597-4146. By making sure your registration is up to date, you can shorten the time you will need to spend at your polling location.