Unique Nebraska law lets election officials draft poll workers
Registered voters may be called to work at voting precincts when there are not enough volunteers.
While local officials across the nation scramble at election time, soliciting volunteers to work at local polling stations, they don’t face that problem in Nebraska — the only state where folks can be drafted for the job.
That’s because a unique state law allows election officials to appoint people to work at voting precincts on election night in the absence of a sufficient number of volunteers. The process is the same as for jury duty: If you are registered to vote, you are eligible to be called for duty.
“We have been using it for at least 25 years,” said Douglas County Election Commissioner Brian Kruse in an email to the Nebraska Independent. “It works well.”
Of Nebraska’s 93 counties, Douglas and Sarpy counties – which comprise most of the Omaha metropolitan area — are the only ones known to use the draft, said Jackie Orada of the Nebraska Secretary of State’s office.
Most volunteers tend to be retired people who have a lot of extra time, but Kruse said using the draft helps diversify the pool of workers.
“It gives us a younger workforce, with an average age of 54 years, and a more diverse workforce,” he said.
While all registered voters are subject to the draft, the law says there must be a balance between political parties. Local election offices pay poll workers minimum wage — $12 an hour — plus $24 for training. State law requires employers to give paid time off to workers drafted for election duty, but they may deduct the equivalent pay from the paid time-off earnings.
Draftees must work four election cycles.
People aged 70 and up, those with health issues, or those with young children can be excused from serving. Those who are drafted and fail to show up can be charged with a misdemeanor and fined $100, although Kruse told USA Today in May that such charges are rarely brought.
Kruse said about 45% of Douglas County’s 2,400 poll workers are draftees.
Marta Hanson, the national program manager for Power the Polls, which helps recruit election workers nationally, said she was intrigued by Nebraska’s draft.
“Nebraska’s system is a compelling one as it ensures that jurisdictions are well staffed with poll workers, allowing the election and voters’ experiences to be smooth and seamless,” she told the Nebraska Independent. “Another benefit of this approach is that it can help recruit the next generation of poll workers by bringing young people into the ranks, or people who hadn’t previously considered serving before.”
Retired nurse Martha Brown of Lincoln volunteered for some 20 years as a poll worker.
“I would urge people to get involved,” she said. “Just do it once and you’ll see it’s a wonderful process.”
