Kay Snavely has worked at the polls in Oxford and Butler County since 2020. Typically, she is stationed at Kramer Elementary.
“It’s the most patriotic thing you could do,” Snavely said, a former Miami University business professor and wife of Mayor Bill Snavely. “Besides serving in the military, speaking up for people’s rights, and encouraging other people to express their views.”
Snavely describes the Butler County election system as “well run,” and said she’s never had a bad experience. She asks everyone who can to sign up to be a poll worker.
“The goal is to get everyone to vote who is eligible,” Snavely said.
As a historic presidential election approaches, poll workers are needed more than ever. Butler County is currently searching for people to work the polls on Election Day Nov. 5.
Nicole Unzicker, director of the Butler County Board of Elections, and Eric Corbin, deputy director, stress the need for both Democrat and Republican representation in their pool of workers.
“We’re looking to maintain that partisan balance,” Unzicker said.
Poll workers are paid $202.05 for their work in the election. This includes a three-hour training, pre-election day set up, and physically running the polls from 5:30 a.m. to when the polls are closed and cleaned on election day, according to Corbin. Workers from previous elections can take an online refresher course in lieu of in-person training.
On the day of the election, workers rotate stations between checking voters in, handing out ballots and greeting voters. After the polls close, workers are responsible for sorting and counting ballots. Workers are not allowed on their phones while working and cannot talk about any political issues. Voters are also unable to wear political messaging on their person, like as a button or hat.
Potential workers must be United States citizens with their own transportation. High school students aged 17 and 18 are allowed to apply. Applicants must be able to read and write English, have no previous felony convictions and be registered to vote in Butler County. Applications can be found on the Butler County Board of Elections website.
