In a recent government meeting, officials discussed ongoing staffing challenges within the elections office as they prepare for the upcoming absentee ballot processing season. With the peak months of September, October, and November approaching, the office has relied on a group of six home inspectors to assist with mail handling and ballot processing. This year, the office has already received 1,000 absentee applications, averaging 10 to 20 new requests daily, leading to concerns about being overwhelmed with the current staffing levels.

The officials expressed a preference for these inspectors to be classified as clerks to streamline payroll processes, although they acknowledged that this change may not be feasible in time for the current election cycle. Instead, they plan to continue hiring the inspectors at their existing rates, which has been the practice in previous years.

Budget implications were addressed, with assurances that the costs associated with hiring these inspectors had already been accounted for in the current budget. The discussion also touched on the potential for future staffing changes, including the possibility of hiring part-time clerks, but emphasized that immediate action was necessary to ensure adequate coverage for the upcoming election tasks.

The meeting highlighted the importance of timely decision-making in election administration and the need for clear communication with personnel departments to facilitate the hiring process. As the election season approaches, officials remain focused on ensuring that all necessary preparations are in place to handle the expected influx of absentee ballots.