Nebraska counties struggle to recruit poll workers ahead of primary

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The primary election in Nebraska is just three months away, and some counties are facing a poll worker shortage.

Secretary of State Bob Evnen said it has been a struggle to recruit younger generations to replace those who have been working at polls for decades.

Seward County Clerk Sherry Schweitzer has been in her position for 25 years.

She said in recent years, it has become harder to recruit people. 

“Twenty years ago, we could look up in the phone book, and we could call them,” Schweitzer said. “Right now, you don’t have that.” 

She said people also don’t want to give up a workday, and the pay for working at the polls is not enough for many. 

The political environment in the U.S. is also discouraging some, Schweitzer said. 

“It’s something that, years ago, people felt it was almost a civic duty to do,” she said. “But right now, there is just a lot of people with what is going in the world that they just don’t want to get involved.” 

Evnen said poll workers are crucial for democracy.

“Nebraska has the most secure elections in the country,” he said. “No one has more secure elections than Nebraska and more accurate elections. And that’s because of the work of our friends and neighbors who work at the polls.  

If you’re interested in being a poll worker, contact your county’s clerk office or election commissioner.

In Lancaster County, you can call the election commission at 402-441-7311.

For Seward County, you can call the clerk’s office at 402-643-2883.

Find the contact information for your county’s election office on the secretary of state’s office.