Alabama Legislature Changes Poll Worker Appointment Requirements

MONTGOMERY, AL — A bill by Rep. David Wheeler (R- Vestavia Hills) and Senator Will Barfoot (R-Pike Road) took effect Monday that allows precinct election officials who are registered to vote in a given county to now serve in any precinct in that county.

Previously, poll workers served only in the precinct where they are registered to vote. The legislation provides that first priority may still be given to those who want to work in their own precinct.

"Poll workers protect the election process and the rights of each and every eligible voter," Secretary of State John Merrill said. "These citizens are a vital part of election administration, and we want the best people working in all 1,980 polling locations in the state."

Poll workers are paid election officials who staff local polling places to carry out assigned Election Day procedures.

Requirements to be a poll worker are:

• Must be a registered voter in the State of Alabama
• Must be registered to vote in the county in which they desire to act as a poll worker
• Must attend a mandatory poll worker training
• Cannot be a member of a candidate’s immediate family or the second degree of kinship, and cannot be a member of a candidate’s political committee