By Natalie Edwards
Special to the Daily Press

DOWNTOWN The candidates are in abundance, the propositions fill a novella sized pamphlet, and there are always far more registered voters than actual votes. The only component in short supply — easily overlooked, but indispensable — are the poll workers.

For the 2008 Presidential Primary Election taking place on Feb. 5 to operate smoothly an additional 300 poll workers will be needed, especially in Santa Monica, said Los Angeles County Acting Registrar-Recorder/CountyClerk Dean Logan.

“Although more than 24,000 poll workers have been recruited, there is still a need for more,” Logan said. “The election is less than 15 days away and we’re looking for additional help.”

Reasons for the shortage vary. Logan attributes the dearth of volunteers to the unusual frequency of elections in 2007 and 2008. Voters might be unaccustomed to a February, rather than March or June, primary.

County Clerk spokesperson Eileen Shea believes that fewer voters are available to staff the election due to the increasing number of two income households.

“Working people don’t have as much time as they used to,” Shea said.

The shortage, if not allayed, will affect multiple communities within Los Angeles County. Beverly Hills, Canyon County, Castaic, Encino, Lomita, Los Angeles, Pacific Palisades, Playa del Rey, Rancho Palos Verde, Saugus, Sherman Oaks, Valencia, Venice, Winnetka, Woodland Hills may be the hardest hit. Santa Monica is included in that list.

To make the voting process as smooth as possible, adequate poll workers are needed from sunrise to after sundown to set up the sites, issue ballots, assist voters, and ensure proper poll closure. Poll workers provide an essential democratic function, Logan said.

“They are the most important and necessary component of a successful election day,” Logan said. “Poll workers literally serve on the front lines of democracy.”

The criteria for becoming a poll worker is double: Voter registration and California residency. To better serve the constituents of California, bilingual citizens are especially encouraged to apply. Knowledge of certain languages — Cantonese, Japanese, Mandarin, Korean, Spanish, Tagalog/Filipono, or Vietnamese — are in highest demand. Armenian, Russian, and Cambodian speakers are also needed.

To counter the difficulty in recruiting volunteers, county supervisors voted to compensate poll workers who sign up for the Feb. 5 primary, the June 3 state Direct Primary, and the Nov. 4 Presidential Election an additional $75. The compensation has been termed a year-end bonus and accompanies the standard pay of $80 per day for poll working.

In a bid to support familiarity with election day voting procedures among poll workers, the County Clerk’s office is also offering $25 to those who attend one of the numerous training sessions scheduled in the days prior to the election. To override potential schedule conflicts, the clerk has made sure training videos are available at the county’s libraries.

If interested in becoming a poll worker for the Feb. 5 election, call the polls section of the county clerk at (800) 815-2666, option 7 or visit the Web site at www.lavote.net.

A schedule of classes, poll-worker training videos, and training materials can be found on the Web site under “pollworker info.”

Grace Chavez, a spokesperson for the county clerk, didn’t seem particularly flustered at the possibility of a poll worker shortage, additional compensation notwithstanding.

“It always differs from year to year,” Chavez said. “But this is not unusual.”

Even if poll workers provide a vital democratic service for their neighbors, communities, and country, enlisting them, Chavez said, “is always a challenge.”

news@smdp.com