PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Providence is building a deeper bench of poll workers for the Nov. 3 general election after a wave of morning callouts left some polling places short-handed during last month’s primary.
About 70 poll workers did not show up on primary day, according to the Providence Board of Canvassers, and some locations were late getting their doors open as a result. Election officials said most of those workers had called in sick, and that other communities around Rhode Island ran into the same kind of staffing gap.
Michael Narducci, who runs elections for the city, said Providence plans to have somewhere between 500 and 600 election officials working the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 3, and that the city has already lined up more than that number.
Recruiting has not stopped. The city is paying stipends that range from $250 to $300 for a day at the polls. Narducci noted that a general election gives Providence one tool it lacks in a primary: it can call on municipal employees to help fill polling places.
The city is also setting up a reserve. Extra workers will report to City Hall on the morning of the election so they can be dispatched to any polling location that runs short or needs more hands. Narducci said the city looks to be in good shape heading into Election Day, though his office is still searching for more help.
Turnout is already moving. Narducci said roughly 2,900 Providence voters had cast early ballots as of his interview this week. Before heading out, residents can use the online tools to confirm where they are assigned to vote and to see a sample of the ballot they will be handed.
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Filed under: Providence RI Politics News
