Posted on: Monday, August 30, 2004

State short of workers to staff voting sites on election day

By Lynda Arakawa
Advertiser Capitol Bureau

With just a few weeks until the Sept. 18 primary election, state officials are still looking for people to work at Hawai'i's polling places on election day.

Without enough workers to staff the state's 353 polling places, voters will likely see delays and longer lines on election day, said state voter services coordinator Rex Quidilla.

The state Office of Elections needs about 3,500 workers statewide, but only 2,992 have been recruited, Quidilla said.

As usual, O'ahu has the largest need, with only 1,856 people recruited for 2,315 positions. Maui has 385 people recruited for 425 positions, and the Big Island has 549 people recruited for 568 positions.

Kaua'i has recruited the 202 people it needs, but Quidilla noted the state needs to over-recruit because some people drop out during training. Typically 10 percent of recruits also do not show up on election day, he said.

"At this point, anyone who would like to help us on election day who is registered to vote, we need the help," Quidilla said. "Your community needs your help."

Quidilla said recruiting this year is "slightly" ahead of where elections officials were in the 2002 primary election, when Hawai'i National Guard troops stepped in to fill vacant poll worker slots.

"But that's not saying much," he said.

A standard precinct worker needs about an hour and a half of training and works from about 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on election days. The pay is $75. Depending on the size of the precinct, the precinct chairperson receives $85 to $140.

To be a precinct worker you must be at least 16 years old by June 30, be able to read and write English and be able to lift 25 to 35 pounds. You must also be registered to vote in Hawai'i, or if you're younger than 18, pre-registered.

To sign up to be a precinct worker, call 453-8683 on O'ahu, 961-8277 on the Big Island, 270-7749 on Maui, and 241-6350 on Kaua'i.

Reach Lynda Arakawa at larakawa@honoluluadvertiser.com or at 525-8070.