MONROE, CT — Taxpayers will cast their votes for the town budget this May, but volunteers will be needed at the polls to make sure their voices are heard.
Monroe has been fortunate to have excellent poll workers, who the town could depend on to ensure safe, accurate, secure and accessible elections, according to registrars Peggy Villani, R, and Kate Briggs, D. But they said the numbers recently decreased due to attrition, COVID-19, people moving and retirements.
On National Poll Worker Recruitment Day, Tuesday, Jan. 25, the registrars will encourage people to volunteer to work at the polls.
Aside from the budget referendum, primaries for Republicans and Democrats to choose candidates will be held in August, then major elections are held in November.
Some volunteers work at all of these elections and some at one or two. The registrars said five different jobs are available each time with special training for each one.
All positions are paid and the Registrars Office supplies breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Elections are held on a Tuesday with a typical day running from 5:15 a.m. to approximately 9 p.m. Anyone age 16 or older is welcome to work.
Those interested in volunteering should call the Registrars Office at Monroe Town Hall, 203-452-2820, or visit the town website and complete the Poll Worker Interest Form. If you miss recruitment on Jan. 25, the town’s registrars encourage you to call anytime.
Volunteering as a poll workers is a community service, in which someone can do their civic duty while getting paid.
Working at the polls is a wonderful thing. I am fortunate enough to have had the PTO time to work at Fawn Hollow location for the 2020 federal election, budget referendum and recent municipal election. I highly recommend it to anyone that can do this, I learned so much about how the elections are run at both the local and state levels and how much is done to protect everyone’s privacy and right to vote. The registrars in town do a wonderful job. This is well worth your time if you can do it!