Elections dept. seeking vote center workers

Madera County is seeking people to work at vote centers for the 2018 election cycle.

“Unlike traditional poll workers, Voting Center representatives will be county employees, who will work for approximately two weeks when vote centers open in May,” said Rebecca Martinez, Madera County Registrar of Voters. “We need to hire between 40 and 50 people and will pay between $17 and $20 per hour.”

To work at a vote center and serve as an election officer, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Be at least 18 years of age

• Be a resident of the State of California

• Attend mandatory paid training classes

• Have access to transportation

• Meet the basic job requirements as outlined in the application

Madera County is implementing the Voter’s Choice Act (VCA). A critical element of the VCA is the introduction of Vote Centers, which will function like satellite election offices where voters can get election information in multiple languages, use accessible voting equipment, drop off a vote-by-mail ballot or get a replacement ballot.

Most Voting Center representatives will receive at least four full days of training at the Madera Elections Department.

After training Voting Center representatives will staff vote centers from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for several days before election day.

On Election Day Voting Center Representatives will be required to staff vote centers from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Madera County is also seeking people who are fluent in Spanish or Punjabi. Federal and state laws require that at least one Vote Center worker in each location is able to provide assistance in required languages. If you are fluent in Spanish or Punjabi you are encouraged to apply as preference will be given to bilingual applicants.