LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) – Kentucky’s Secretary of State is calling for more Kentuckians to sign up as poll workers to help with the November general election.

Secretary Michael Adams made the request in a press release last week, saying that for more in-person voting options to be possible in November, more people would need to volunteer to work the polls. It’s been an ongoing topic of concern well before the COVID-19 pandemic hit Kentucky. Counties need more poll workers, especially younger people.

Kentucky elections typically have about 3,700 voting locations and 15,000 poll workers.

"The majority of our poll workers start around the age of 65," Bullitt County Clerk Kevin Mooney said. "Finding poll workers in younger demographics is the challenge. And it is what we need."

Many of the current poll workers all across the commonwealth are over the age of 65, putting them in a high-risk category of contracting the coronavirus. So the push is even greater now to encourage young registered voters to become poll workers.

"I think it's incredibly important that people of all ages — all cultural background — get involved," said Jordan Kelch, communications administrator for the Jefferson County Clerk's Office. "We're always pushing for a newer, younger generation of poll workers."

You need to meet certain qualifications to be accepted as a poll worker, including being older than 18 and being a registered voter. You also can only work the polls in the county in which you live. There is required training involved. Poll workers are paid if they are accepted for the training and asked to work election day.

"It's your civic duty," Kelch said. "And while we don't know exactly what the election is going to look like in November, we do know that we want everyone to be involved."

To learn more about becoming a poll worker or voice your interest, reach out to your local county clerk’s office. Contact information for some of the nearby offices are included below:

  • Jefferson County Clerk’s Office: 502-574-6100
  • Oldham County Clerk’s Office: 502-222-7645
  • Shelby County Clerk’s Office: 502-633-4410
  • Spencer County Clerk’s Office: 502-477-3215
  • Bullitt County Clerk’s Office: 502-543-2513
  • Hardin County Clerk’s Office: 270-765-6762

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