Alabama Legislature changes poll worker appointment requirements
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send your username and password to you.
Alabama Legislature changes poll worker appointment requirements
Special to the News
On August 1, Act 2021-377 by Rep. David Wheeler (R-Vestavia Hills) and Sen. Will Barfoot (R-Pike Road) took effect, allowing precinct election officials who are registered to vote in a given county to now serve in any precinct in that county.
Previously, poll workers served in the precinct they are registered to vote at, but with the passage of this piece of legislation, the most qualified individuals will be working in any polling location in the county to ensure our elections are safe and secure.
The legislation provides that first priority may still be given to those who are registered to vote in the precinct they wish to work at as long as they are qualified for the position.
“Poll workers protect the election process and the rights of each and every eligible voter,” stated Secretary of State John H. Merrill. “These citizens are a vital part of election administration, and we want the best people working in all 1,980 polling locations in the state.”
Poll workers are paid election officials who staff local polling places to carry out assigned Election Day procedures.
Requirements to be a poll worker are:
- Must be a registered voter in the State of Alabama
- Must be registered to vote in the county in which they desire to act as a poll worker
- Must attend a mandatory poll worker training
- Cannot be a member of a candidate’s immediate family or the second degree of kinship, and cannot be a member of a candidate’s political committee
The application should be returned to the county probate judge for consideration.
For questions or concerns, please contact the Office of the Secretary of State at 334-242-7200 or your county probate judge.