With just over 100 days to go before the November election, Maryland election officials said they are facing an 鈥渆mergency鈥� shortage of poll workers willing to work during the pandemic.
Maryland is short 13,970 election judges, according to David Garreis, president of the Maryland Association of Election Officials, which represents the state鈥檚 24 local election boards. Garreis said it needs over 39,000 poll workers to staff all voting precincts and early voting sites adequately.
鈥淲e鈥檙e not going to be able to make up this election judge shortfall,鈥� Garreis said.
During a meeting of the Maryland State Board of Elections, Garreis said many people who help at voting sites are older and in the high-risk category for COVID-19. The number of poll workers committed to working is down 36% from where it needs to be, and the number of vacancies continues to grow daily.
鈥淭he people that initially confirmed they could work are saying they cannot or will not do it because they won鈥檛 put their health at risk or the health of their families,鈥� Garreis said.
He told the board to push Gov. Larry Hogan to consider consolidating voting precincts into a smaller number of voting centers around the state. Hogan would have to approve the measure.
Earlier this month, Hogan said while he encourages mail-in voting, he wants to see Marylanders with the option of voting in-person at their local precinct.
鈥淲e previously informed the State Board of Elections that we will actively encourage state employees to help supplement staffing needs,鈥� said Mike Ricci, the governor鈥檚 spokesperson in a statement to 草莓传媒.
Hogan has been critical of the state board鈥檚 handling of the primary election, which included mail-in ballot issues and long lines at polling sites. In a Hogan said political partisanship shouldn鈥檛 play a role in the discussion about what should be done in November.
鈥淲hat鈥檚 happening for the local boards isn鈥檛 partisan, it’s a logistical issue stemming from a public health crisis,鈥� Garreis said.
Garreis also is calling for canvassing to be allowed 30 days before Election Day, so elections officials can get a head start at counting mail-in ballots.
Prince George鈥檚 County Elections Administrator Alisha Alexander said a survey of poll workers found only 36% indicated they are willing to work during the pandemic.
鈥淭he bottom line is, if they are not willing to work, unfortunately some polling places may have to be consolidated,” Alexander said.
Alexander also said at least 21 polling locations, primarily churches, have indicated they are not willing to be a voting location this year.
Jim Shalleck, president of Montgomery County Board of Elections, said the county is still trying to determine its staffing levels for the election.
鈥淲e鈥檙e trying to make sure that we can fulfill the governor’s mandate and proceed with a robust election, both with absentee voting and in-person voting,鈥� Shalleck said.
- Sign up for 草莓传媒 alerts
- Latest coronavirus test results in DC, Maryland and Virginia
- Coronavirus FAQ: What you need to know
- Coronavirus resources: Get and give help in DC, Maryland and Virginia
- Teachers鈥� union, NAACP branch call for distance learning in DC
- Maryland governor criticizes Trump on virus response
- Nurses demand fresh PPE from Medstar Washington Hospital Center
- Trump calls off Florida segment of GOP National Convention
Looking for more information? D.C., Maryland and Virginia are each releasing more data every day. Visit their official sites here: | |
