he County Board of Elections is recruiting Poll Workers for certification training on new voting machines, which will be deployed countywide and used at the November 7, 2023 General Election. (Photo by Carly Hendricks)

CHENANGO COUNTY — The County Board of Elections is recruiting Poll Workers for certification training on new voting machines, which will be deployed countywide and used at the November 7, 2023 General Election.

Chenango County Republican Election Commissioner Mary Lou Monahan said their current poll workers will also be trained and they hope to have a new wave of poll workers join their ranks.

For further information or to sign up for certification class, please call the Chenango County Board of Elections at 607-337-1760.

“You must be a registered voter to become a poll worker, so if a prospective poll worker is currently not a registered voter, there is plenty of time to register before the mid-September training,” said Monahan.

“Normally our training is in July and August, but this year we waited for our new machines to arrive to train seasoned and new poll workers on these machines. Certification training will be held on the top floor of the County Office Building located at 5 Court Street,” she added.

Monahan said after successfully passing a certification exam, poll workers will be assigned to work during early voting and Election Day voting, which can vary by town and election.

Monahan explained poll sites are neutral sites and no talking of politics is allowed. The workers are a bi-partisan team set in place to support anyone in need of help, questions or direction. From name and address check in; to verification of signature to showing voters to privacy booths; it's a neutral welcoming environment.

“Poll workers are compensated for a passing grade on the annual open-book certification test. Poll workers are also compensated for full and half days at the polling sites,” said Monahan. “Class compensation is $35 and full work day compensation is 241.40. Full work days are from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Half day compensation is 120.70. This year the hourly wage is 14.20 an hour and next year, pay will depend on what happens with minimum wage.”

Next year is Presidential Election year; two Primary Elections and one General Election for 2024.