The OCMA Board of Directors entered into a side-letter agreement with the County to work collaboratively to support participation by Administrative Managers in the County Poll Worker program (while not part of the MOU extension agreement, the side-letter was entered into on or about the same time). The OCMA Board understands and acknowledges that the County Registrar of Voters has a responsibility to ensure sufficient staffing of the polls during elections. Since the number of volunteer workers has declined, OCMA agreed to work with the County to explore options to encourage participation from Administrative Managers. One of these options was to allow Managers to split shifts (for more info, see below).
There is a real need for workers to serve in roles requiring more advanced skill sets, therefore County Managers are a perfect fit for these crucial positions. OCMA strongly encourages Managers to volunteer and sign up to be part of this democratic function of government.
Please consult your calendar on June 5thto see if you can support the County as a Poll Worker for the upcoming June 5, 2018 Primary Election. As the leadership team for the County, managers have a unique opportunity to lead by example by serving as Poll Workers and by volunteering will help ensure that the County meets its needs for poll worker staffing. OCMA has been advised by the County that County Department leadership is supportive and will liberally allow and encourage Managers to participate.
In addition to a sense of civic duty, you will receive the following benefits for volunteering:
- A stipend of $100 – $130 in addition to your regular pay on the day you volunteer.
- A stipend of $20 to complete two hours of poll worker training during your regular hours of work.
- Inspectors will also receive an additional stipend of $10 to pick up supplies.
In an effort to encourage participation, a unique option is being offered to County Administrative Managers to job share/work a split shift. Shifts may be split equally with a co-worker into morning/afternoon and afternoon/evening shifts to provide flexibility. Since Poll Workers are scheduled to work from 6 a.m. – 9:30 p.m., this allows for a morning shift (for example) from 6 a.m. – 3 p.m. and an afternoon shift from 1 p.m. – 10 p.m. Note: Employees who “job share” and work half of a normal shift will also receive half the stipend; Inspectors who “job share” will only receive the $10 supply stipend for working on the a.m. shift.
Take a moment and complete the application to volunteer: https://www.ocvote.com/volunteer/volunteer-to-serve/ Once the brief form is completed, it will be routed to your manager for review/approval, and then you will be contacted by the Registrar of Voters for next steps.
Again, OCMA is asking you to seriously consider being part of the cornerstone of our representative democracy. Please be part of the voting process and volunteer to be a Poll Worker on June 5th.