State still needs 1,500 poll workers

Associated Press

With a little more than a month before the Sept. 21 primary election, the state elections office still needs 1,500 poll workers to staff Honolulu's 219 polling places.

Although workers are needed throughout Honolulu, recruitment is lowest in the East Honolulu and Kalihi areas, officials said yesterday.

"At around this time in 2000, we had about 80 percent of positions filled. Right now, we're about 50 percent," Chief Elections Officer Dwayne Yoshina said.

Poll worker recruitment is a challenge faced by election offices nationwide, but Yoshina said he was uncertain why this year's recruitment in Hawai'i is lower than usual.

The elections office normally recruits poll workers from civic and nonprofit groups, the state and county work force, political parties and political campaigns.

"But this year, even the returnees aren't returning," Yoshina said.

Those who want to become poll workers must be registered to vote in Hawai'i and be able to read and write English. They also must attend training and pass a certification exam.