A Baldwin County poll worker is raising concerns after issues she identified on Tuesday during the primary runoff election.
Stephanie Ganey Messinger, who serves on the Daphne City Council, has worked three elections as a poll worker. She said that with low voter turnout, poll workers are stretched.
Poll workers arrived at 6 a.m. to take their oath and prepare for a long day. After polls closed at 7 p.m., they had to run the ballots, break down tables and clean up before being allowed to leave.
"It is quite exhausting, but we're all happy to do it," Messinger added. "We're all happy to be there."
While working at the Eastern Shore Baptist Church location, Messinger said her group was responsible for setting up tables and chairs and making accommodations to ensure the election process ran smoothly.
With heavy rains on election day, Messinger witnessed poll workers struggling to usher in voters. She said the rain meant more physical labor for poll workers. Messinger said it takes stamina and excellent accounting skills to work an approximately 15-hour day. That's why she said she would like to see younger poll workers taking an interest.
Messinger said she believes more poll workers would participate if there were two shifts. Even though she was the youngest worker at her polling location, she said she was sore and exhausted.
Probate Judge Harry D'Olive, Jr. said the county does have a need for more poll workers. He has been involved in elections for over 30 years and said it is the norm to have senior citizens as poll workers because they are retired and have the work ethic it takes. He said he would love to see younger people come forward.
"We do have senior citizens, and it's because they're the only ones that are willing to do the job," D'Olive said.
He said breaking up the day into shifts would complicate compensation and scheduling and increase wait times for voters.
With only 10% turnout on Tuesday, D'Olive said it was a long day for poll workers.
"We had 10% turnout for the runoff," he added. "We had 19% turnout for the primary, you know, so there's a handful of people electing the elected officials of one of the fastest growing counties in the state. That just makes zero sense."
Out of nearly 6,000 registered voters, the Eastern Shore Baptist Church poll only had 511 voters.
"We've got to get more people to the polls to work, and we've got to get voters out for every single election from municipal to state to county to United States elections," Messinger said. "It is so important."
Specifically, Messinger wants the younger generation to realize how important their involvement in elections is.
"It is a crying shame that voters between the ages of 18 and 50 are very few and far between," Messinger added. "Those are the people who we need to be out and voting because they are the people who are setting our future and who are voting for our future leaders."
Poll workers are compensated up to $200 for their time. Poll workers must be registered to vote and must attend training. Those interested in becoming a poll worker may visit https://www.sos.alabama.gov/alabama-votes/become-poll-worker for more information.
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