Officials looking for last-minute help for provincial election day

Paid positions are still available for any residents aged 18 and up, including deputy returning officer, poll clerks and several other election day jobs

HALIFAXtoday \  Steve Gow

Elections Nova Scotia is making one last push for recruitment in the final days leading to Tuesday’s provincial general election.

While provincial elections usually require around 6,000 additional workers, this year, the organization said they were hoping to hire around 8,000 people in total for various paid work on August 17.

“We are trying to hire more election workers for this election to support the COVID-19 protocols,” says Naomi Shelton, Elections Nova Scotia’s director of policy and communications. “So that really has to do with frequent cleaning, and then also to help voters know what direction to go in — there’s directional signage just to help manage the physical distancing.”

Anyone over the age of 18 and eligible to vote is encouraged to contact their local returning officer based on their electoral district to apply for open positions.

People can also walk into local returning offices and inquire about jobs in person.

According to the Elections Nova Scotia website, roles that are still in demand range from deputy returning officers to poll clerks as well as enumerators and information officers, whose job is to assist in directing people and sanitizing stations.

“There are some jobs, such as information officers, that youths aged 16 to 18 can work,” adds Shelton of the opportunities available.

All polling locations will adhere to strict public health precautions to keep voters and election workers safe. This includes mask-wearing, hand-sanitizing upon entrance, minimal hand-to-hand contact between workers and voters, as well as protective shields.

Voters are also being asked to bring their own pen or pencils to encourage minimal points of contact.

“Our COVID-19 safety plan was reviewed by public health so we are in line with the provincial guidelines,” says Shelton. “So workers can be confident to know that they will be safe if they come to work the election.”

The communications director says that around 7,000 people have been hired so far but certain electoral districts are filling up slower than others.

“Recruitment is going quite well and it is steady across the province. There are areas across the province as such where we do still need election works, so we’re always happy to have folks who are willing to work the election,” says Shelton, noting that people don’t need to live in the same electoral district where they apply for work. “So if you are interested in working the election then please call the returning office.”

In addition to a competitive wage, working the provincial election can be a rewarding experience and Shelton encourages residents to get involved.

“It’s certainly important to support the electoral process,” says Shelton. “It’s a key part of our democracy, so anyone who is able to work the election, if you are interested, please call your returning office in your electoral district and get on the list.”

For more information on how to work the province’s 41st general election on Tuesday, visit the Elections Nova Scotia website.