Elections aren’t possible without poll workers, according to election officials. “We are always recruiting and taking names,” said Dale Thomas, chairman of the Lincoln County Election Commission. Poll workers help polling sites in their community run smoothly during early voting and on Election Day. Some of the tasks include greeting voters, answering questions, explaining how to cast a ballot, using the voting equipment and counting votes, according to the Tennessee Secretary of State, division of elections.

Sheila Allen, Lincoln County election administrator, said approximately 150 local poll workers are needed for the upcoming Aug. 6 state primary and general election. Allen said poll workers include machine operators, who pull up the ballots, and registrars, who verify people are registered.

Anyone interested in working at one of the voting precincts can call the Lincoln County Election Commission at 931-4336220 or go to www.lincolncountytn. gov election commission, complete the form and return it to the Election Commission office, 208 Davidson St. East, Room 106, Fayetteville.

The Election Commission trains poll workers, which take approximately two hours, Allen said. They are compensated for attending any required training session and are paid for working during early voting and on Election Day. Normally, poll workers report to work one hour before polls open and leave one after after poll close.

According to the State Division of Elections, to be a poll workers you must be 16 years of age or older, regardless of political affiliation. Those 18 years and older must be a registered voter.

Other requirements include: * Be able to read and write in the English language; * Not be supervised by a county or municipal elected officials on the ballot; * Not be a candidate or close relative of a candidate, such as spouse, parent, father-, mother-, son- or daughter-in-law, grandparent, child, brother, sister, etc. of a candidate of a candidate or write-in candidate on the ballot.

Any City, County and Metro employee can be a poll workers unless they are under supervision of an elected official on the ballot.

Every effort is made to assign a poll worker to their neighborhood polling sites, if possible. However, poll workers must be flexible and consider assignments at other sites in the county based on need.

Allen highly recommends voters verify that their voter registration information is current, including address prior to early voting. This makes for an easier voting process on Election Day. Go to sos.tn.gov.govotetn. While on the site, you can also find you polling location. Deadline to register to vote in the Aug. 6 state primary and general election is Tuesday, July 7.