Election official warns of precinct staffing gaps and certification deadline

An election official told county leaders the office is short on trained precinct judges for upcoming elections and that two named individuals on the precinct roster have not completed required training or online certification, which could make them ineligible to work public polling places under state rules.

The staffing concern matters because precinct judges must be certified to work polling places, and a shortage could affect where and how voters cast ballots on election day and during early voting.

The official said county staff had initially been uncertain about one voting location but received confirmation that Duke School will allow the county to use its facility for election day voting. The official noted that precinct judges must reside in the precinct they serve and that primary-party chairs normally supply names for precinct positions.

"SOS clause is if they don't do any of that, you can't be you cannot participate in public places," the election official said, referring to certification requirements. The official added there are two names on the roster highlighted in red that have not attended training or completed online certification, and that the office had been trying to recruit replacements. One new person was added to the roster during the discussion. The official described outreach to primary chairs and to local volunteers to fill open precinct roles.

County participants discussed possible contacts and agreed to seek names of prospective judges. The transcript includes staff reminders about training completion by the end of the month as reflected in county email communications; no formal policy change or vote on precinct staffing was recorded in the excerpt.