2022 - Honorable Mention for Best Practices in Recruiting, Retaining, and Training Poll Workers

Franklin County Board of Elections recognized an untapped resource in Early Vote Center voters who had never considered working on Election Day and created this program to recruit them. Over the course of the early vote period our office maintained a staffed recruitment station at the exit of the Early Vote Center. Our recruitment staff informed voters about the responsibilities, requirements, and rewards of serving as a Precinct Election Official (PEO). All voters who applied proudly signed a recruitment poster that remained on display, serving as an encouragement to other voters. Early voters submitted a total of 1,448 new applications throughout the three elections held in 2022 making this a wildly successful program for our office. The program cost was nominal: we hired a team of current bi-partisan PEOs to staff the booth ($6,900), printed a banner and three posters in-house ($100), purchased high-top tables and covers ($330), and used laptops and markers from our general office supplies for a total approximate cost of $10,030.00 for the year. We also recruited voters at polling locations on Election Day through a sign up sheet and flier at check-in tables. We will continue to utilize this program.