As the March 2024 presidential primary approaches, the Registrar's office is on a mission to recruit additional poll workers quickly. The demand is especially high for bilingual individuals, capable of assisting voters in languages such as Chinese, Vietnamese, Filipino, Somali, Laotian, Arabic, Japanese, Korean, Persian, and more across various vote centers in the county.
To ensure compliance with federal law, the Registrar's office is looking to sufficiently staff vote centers, particularly in North County, South Bay, and East County, where there's a notable need for workers who can communicate in Chinese, Vietnamese, and Filipino. Likewise, bilingual poll workers in Somali and Laotian are critically needed in neighborhoods such as Oak Park, Encanto, Paradise Hills, and Bay Terraces.
This election will operate under the Voter's Choice Act, fundamentally transforming the traditional one-day polling place into more accessible vote centers that remain open for an extended period. These centers open their doors well before E-Day, requiring poll workers' presence from February 24 to March 4 and offering stipends ranging from $135 to $160 per day. Those working on Election Day, March 5 – a day predicted to stretch longer in hours – can expect to earn between $220 to $270.
The Registrar's Office invites applicants 18 or older, U.S. citizens, or lawful permanent residents. Applicants should have their transportation and embody professionalism, nonpartisanship, and strong customer service. Bilingual workers will enjoy an additional incentive, with an extra $5 per day, to distinctly increase to $10 on Election Day. Poll worker duties include customer service, assisting voters, and paperwork management, according to a County News Center report.
Training isn't overlooked, with a mandatory paid two-day session that further adds a $95 daily stipend. Applications can be completed online, as the Registrar continues its push for community involvement. For more details, interested individuals can visit sdvote.com or reach out directly at (858) 565-5800 or via email at [email protected].
