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Ben Hill County prepares for May elections amid poll‑worker shortfall and COVID‑19 precautions
Summary
County Manager Michael Dinnerman told commissioners on May 5 that advanced voting was moved to May 18, PPE and plexiglass were provided for elections staff, and the county is short of poll workers — 28 needed and 8 available — while restricted public access was extended to June 1.
County Manager Michael Dinnerman told the Ben Hill County Board of Commissioners on May 5 that the county is preparing for upcoming elections with new safety measures but faces a shortfall in poll workers.
Dinnerman said advanced voting was rescheduled to May 18; personal protective equipment for elections employees has been ordered and plexiglass barriers have been installed for staff. He reported the elections office needs 28 poll workers but currently has only eight available and that he is working with attorneys, judges and state officials to address the shortage. Restricted public access to county facilities was extended to June 1 and the Health Department is testing for coronavirus by appointment, he said.
The remarks were presented as part of the County Manager’s regular report; commissioners did not vote on new election policy during the meeting. The update was listed among routine county business and followed by approvals of agenda and minutes and other administrative votes. Commissioner Daniel Cowan thanked Vice‑Chair Hope Harmon for conducting the meeting; County Manager Dinnerman publicly thanked EMA/E911 Director Brandon Fletcher for his work during the emergency.
The transcript does not name specific steps for recruiting additional poll workers or any deadline beyond the advanced voting date. The county did not discuss changes to voter eligibility or ballot procedures during this meeting.
