When you figure there are 29 precincts in the county, that means 87 people are needed to ensure each election runs smoothly.County election board secretary Ashley Carnes said she is in “desperate need” of workers to help out in the coming elections. Those workers include an inspector and judge and clerk. Ideally, there is at least one representative of each political party on hand but, according to Carnes, the Democratic Party is lacking in people who what to participate.
These are not unpaid positions. Currently, the inspector for each precinct gets $110 plus mileage if they drive ten or more miles to their poling place to pick up and return election supplies. The judge and clerk gets $100 for the day plus mileage if they drive ten or more miles to the polling place. Those rates are going up to $225 for inspectors and $200 for judges and clerks on July 1 of this year.
Precinct officials start their day at 6 a.m. on Election Day and end it once the polls close and ballots have a preliminary count after 7 p.m.
To be eligible, a person must be a registered voter in the county and perform the duties of a precinct official. There is state-mandated training every two years that normally takes place from the end of April to the beginning of June. For new workers this year, Carnes said that training will be held at the court house.
“Even though I am really looking for members of the Democratic Party to be workers, I would look at all parties,” she said Wednesday.
Anyone wishing to be a precinct worker should contact the Okmulgee County Election Board at 918-756-235 during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or email them at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
