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Board approves split‑shift option and acknowledgement form to reduce election‑worker no‑shows
Summary
The board approved a split‑shift policy to help recruit workers unable to work a full 14‑hour day and adopted an acknowledgement form that warns of possible termination for repeated no‑shows, a change prompted by 2024 staffing problems.
The board approved a split‑shift proposal allowing two workers to cover a single long polling day with an overlap period, intended to increase recruitment among people who cannot commit to a full 14‑hour shift. Russ presented the proposal and said the split shift has worked elsewhere to broaden the pool of available workers.
To address past no‑show problems, staff proposed an acknowledgement form that informs workers that failure to appear could lead to termination from future elections. Some board members criticized the form’s tone and argued routine sign‑in/sign‑out by chief judges should suffice; staff replied the written acknowledgement was added after several no‑call/no‑show incidents in 2024 and would provide documentation for staffing decisions.
The board moved to adopt the guidelines and the acknowledgement form (motion made and seconded). Staff will implement overlapping sign‑in procedures and incorporate the acknowledgement form into recruitment materials.
Why it matters: The change aims to expand staffing options and reduce the operational risk of understaffed polling sites on election day.
