Washtenaw County needs poll workers to staff more than 80 election precincts and 15 early voting sites for the Nov. 3 general election, and a new statewide campaign is trying to fill the gap.

The Michigan Chamber of Commerce launched its "Support MI Clerks" initiative in August to help local clerks recruit election workers across the state, WEMU reported. Michigan has seen a 17% drop in poll workers statewide, according to the Michigan Chamber Foundation's campaign page, and the expansion of early voting has made the need more urgent.

Daniel Papineau, senior director of strategic initiatives at the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, told WEMU that each precinct should have at least three workers. When staffing falls short, he said, voters feel the impact.

"That can contribute to longer lines, more frustration and, worse of all, more maybe distrust in the elections process," Papineau said. "And that's especially concerning."

The shortage is driven in part by Michigan's early voting period, which runs nine or more days before each election. That means sites need workers not just on Election Day but across nearly two weeks of in-person voting, according to the Michigan Secretary of State's office.

Who can serve

Michigan law allows anyone 16 or older to work the polls, though workers must be registered voters and residents of the city or township where they serve. The state also requires at least one election inspector from each major political party at every precinct.

No experience is required.

County clerks provide training. Poll workers earn between $175 and $300 per day depending on location, though the exact rate in Washtenaw County is set locally.

The campaign targets working professionals, retirees, college students and teens ages 16 to 17.

How Ann Arbor residents can sign up

Washtenaw County's website offers an online Poll Worker Interest Form, or residents can submit a paper application directly to their city clerk or the County Clerk's office. The state's Democracy MVP recruitment program, run by the Secretary of State, also accepts sign-ups.

The Support MI Clerks campaign, a partnership between the Michigan Chamber Foundation and the Erb Family Foundation, is also offering workplace presentations for employers who want to encourage staff participation. Organizations can contact Dan Papineau at [email protected] for details.

What's ahead

The Nov. 3 general election will share the ballot with Ann Arbor's public power charter amendment, which qualified Aug. 7. With a contested ballot measure drawing voters, adequate poll staffing will be critical for keeping lines short across the county's precincts and early voting sites.