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Poll workers are hard to recruit and retain, impacting future elections

Voters cast their ballots at a polling station in a recreational center on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019 in Philadelphia. Pennsylvania's municipal elections feature contests for two statewide appellate judgeships, as well as some potential firsts in local contests.

 Matt Rourke / AP Photo

Voters cast their ballots at a polling station in a recreational center on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019 in Philadelphia. Pennsylvania's municipal elections feature contests for two statewide appellate judgeships, as well as some potential firsts in local contests.

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Airdate: Monday, September 20, 2021

Elections are complicated and labor intensive events. Preparation for an election and staffing on the actual day relies on volunteer poll workers to fulfill a majority of the tasks.

The Pennsylvania Department of State is actively encouraging citizens who are interested in learning more about elections to get involved at the polls. Is it hard to attract volunteers after the most recent, and contentious election cycle?

Jonathan Marks, is the Deputy Secretary of Elections and Administration and he will join Smart Talk Monday to offer details about the important role of poll workers and how to get involved. Lisa Schaefer, Executive Director of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania, is also on the program to talk about the challenges at the county level managing election issues.

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