Some might call it a test run for November.
Duval County Supervisor of Elections Mike Hogan refers to today’s primary as an opportunity for 400 of his office’s newest poll workers to get some experience for the general election.
“You don’t want to use someone brand new in a presidential cycle,” said Hogan, who is overseeing his first countywide primary today.
In 10 weeks, the pace will quicken. Turnout will be higher. More questions and issues will inevitably crop up, which is why “it’s really good to have one under your belt,” said Hogan.
“I don’t get a do-over,” he said.
Many of the new faces were brought on board through a dedicated recruitment effort since March.
Hogan said when he took office last year, the register of poll workers listed about 7,800 people.
Unfortunately, it was actually much smaller — the list included many people who had died or moved away.
After paring it down to about 3,000, it needed to be bolstered a little.
In response, Hogan said his office since March has been on the recruitment trail and met with organizations and schools, specifically Jacksonville University and the University of North Florida.
The response has been about 700 new additions, many of whom are younger and have experience with technology.
That’s not to say the mainstays at the voting precincts aren’t valuable — Hogan calls them “excellent.”
Yet, the need for able poll workers isn’t going away.
Hogan said recruitment efforts will continue after the November election and there could be more organizations “adopting” a precinct. A local civic group is adopting a precinct in November, with the wages going toward a charitable cause.
Election Day itself consists of a 14-hour day with slightly higher pay than early voting days, which are split into shifts.
Duval County’s poll workers make $10 an hour, with managers and information technology personnel making slightly more.
The range is now comparable to other large counties in Florida, which can help recruitment efforts.
Chris Chambless, Clay County supervisor of elections and chair of the state supervisors’ organization, said some years when the economy is down there are more people looking to be poll workers. Others simply want to be engaged in the civic process.
He said Clay County has been fortunate and hasn’t had a great drain on poll workers.
Recruitment has helped, with marketing materials available for most community events the office takes part in.
Duval County, though, is bigger with more needs.
In all, Hogan’s office will rely on close to 1,900 workers for 199 precincts across Duval County.
“We’ve trained them well,” said Hogan. “The fate of the election is in their hands.”
@writerchapman
(904) 356-2466