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# Running low at polls BY KEVIN HERRERA
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/running-low-at-polls-by-kevin-herrera/
- Published: 2006-08-23T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T21:17:06.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Government & Politics, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*75 workers needed POLLS, from page 1*

*By Daily Press Staff Writer*

NORWALK — While recognized as a bastion for civic participation and community activism, Santa Monica also is known among elections officials as a tough place to recruit poll workers.

At least that’s the case so far. Officials with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder have placed Santa Monica as one of the top cities desperately in need of poll workers for the upcoming election in November, with an estimated 75 positions still vacant. Santa Monica has 71 polling places and needs an estimated 500 people for the Nov. 7 election. The Registar-Recorder oversees elections locally and must hire 20,000 to 30,000 poll workers to meet demand.

Vanessa Brown-Lawrence, head of poll officer recruitment for the county, said that number could increase as past poll workers opt out in favor of other commitments.

“Santa Monica poses a problem for us nearly every election,” Brown-Lawrence said. “We find it very difficult to recruit people. But that’s true in other places as well. People just don’t seem to be willing to give their time as much as they used to.”

Often compared to jury duty, volunteering to serve as a poll worker commands long hours in exchange for little play. With the job also comes an immense responsibility — ensuring the fairness and accuracy of the electoral process.

Even with a pay increase that went into effect in June, which has attracted new recruits, many are turned off by the thought of dedicating 14 to 15 hours of their lives for less than minimum wage, Brown-Lawrence said.

A poll officer makes $80 for one day of work, with a $25 bonus for attending an hour-and-a-half training session. Election inspectors, who serve as supervisors at polling places, earn $100 per election, with a $50 bonus for picking up supplies, such as ballot boxes, and $25 for the training session.

“You have to look at the people in Santa Monica,” Brown-Lawrence said. “For the most part, everyone’s working and can’t afford to take a day off. Many are college students or young professionals who may not be registered to vote or perhaps not interested. There’s really various reasons why people don’t participate.”

To serve as a poll worker, one must be a U.S. citizen registered to vote in California and be at least 18 years old. High school students who are at least 16 also can participate but only if they have been nominated by their school and are enrolled in an official Student Poll Worker Program.

Those who are bilingual are in high demand, particularly those who can speak Cantonese, Japanese, Mandarin, Korean, Tagalog or Vietnamese.

With many poll workers being senior citizens, there is hope that the increase in pay will attract a new batch of seasonal employees to replace those who are no longer able.

“I’m worried about Santa Monica,” said Thea Brodkin, an election assistant with the Registrar-Recorder and the voter service director for the League of Women Voters of Santa Monica. “Every time we have an election in Santa Monica, I see that we are very short of poll workers … What surprises me is that in our politically active city, with so many community members volunteering for various boards and commissions, we can’t find civic-minded folks to ensure our elections run smoothly and efficiently.”

To become a poll worker, call 1-800 815-2666 ext. 7, or go to www.lavote.net.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 23, 2006.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/082306.pdf?ref=smdp.com)