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Tech-savvy polls staff wanted
By BILL VARIAN TAMPA -- Fixing the voting machine problems that marred the 2000 presidential election presents a new dilemma for Hillsborough Elections Supervisor Pam Iorio. The new technology that voters will confront will add to the demands on already overworked poll workers whose long, hectic days could be even more stressful next year. So Iorio is trying to recruit a new breed of poll workers to run the precincts on Election Day, a team more technically savvy and better attuned to customer service. Iorio plans to ask the County Commission to choose a company to supply new touch-screen voting machines Dec. 5. The first time they will be used is the Sept. 10 primary. "With the changeover in technology, there likely will be a large number of poll workers who will not want to continue," Iorio said. "I expect some to feel that that's too much change." Iorio has relied largely on retirees to run the polls on Election Day. While many of those workers might stay on, Iorio said she anticipates hiring as many as 3,500 poll workers, about 500 more than in past countywide elections. Iorio already has reached out to County Administrator Dan Kleman and local constitutional officers, such as the property appraiser and court clerk, to persuade them to lend their employees for the day. Next, she will recruit from private businesses. She is particularly interested in recruiting people comfortable with technology. Her busiest 75 precincts will be equipped with laptop computers for quicker access to voter files, so she needs people used to working with them. Iorio also hopes to lure customer service workers who deal with the public every day. County employees could fit both descriptions. Kleman has agreed to try to recruit as many as 275 of his workers to help. "As a county employee, you certainly have an interest in government," Kleman said. "And my employees may have knowledge of administrative processes that could be helpful." Iorio is asking each constitutional officer to recruit at least 6 percent of their employees. County employees under Kleman would have to use up a vacation day to volunteer. They would be paid from $80 to $150 for a typical 14-hour Election Day, with pay based on experience. Workers whose employers agree to pay their salary for the day would receive $36 to $60 for working beyond an 8-hour day. Additionally, volunteers must attend a 90-minute application program, a 31/2-hour initial training program and another 2-hour refresher course. People who are "very politically active" will not be accepted, Iorio said. What's very politically active? "If you want to have a bumper sticker on your car or have a yard sign," that might be okay, Iorio said. "But if you're involved in someone's campaign, hosting receptions, attending meetings, then you're not qualified to be a poll worker." Bob Gilder, a civil rights activist and founder of the Tampa Bay Voter Coalition, has been working with Iorio on a registration and voter education drive and applauds her effort to hire more professionally trained workers. He said government should be doing everything it can to restore confidence in the election system after last year's presidential debacle. New equipment was important, but Gilder said experienced workers can do a better job of spotting problems and fairly addressing them. "This is what it's going to take to make people believe in the system again," Gilder said. "And, mister, that is so important."
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From the Times Sandra Thompson |
