SLO County Elections Office Celebrates National Poll Worker Recruitment Day on August 11
Author: Erin Clausen
Date: 8/10/2026 11:39 AM
The SLO County Elections Office is recognizing National Poll Worker Recruitment Day on Tuesday, August 11. The national day of action, founded in 2020 by the Election Assistance Commission (EAC), highlights the vital role of everyday community members in facilitating voting at the polls and encourages eligible volunteers to get involved.
This Tuesday, August 11, the SLO County Elections Office and the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) will recognize National Poll Worker Recruitment Day, a nationwide effort to encourage civic-minded community members to serve as poll workers and help ensure safe, secure, accurate, and accessible elections. The annual initiative, launched in 2020, highlights the essential role poll workers play in administering elections across the country.
This year's National Poll Worker Recruitment Day comes as the local Elections Office prepares for the November 3, 2026, General Election, which will include the runoffs for statewide office as well as contests for school districts, special districts, community services districts, and consolidated city contests throughout the county.
"Election workers are the people who make it possible for every eligible voter to cast a ballot with confidence," said County of San Luis Obispo Clerk-Recorder Elaina Cano. "As we prepare for the November General Election, we're looking for dedicated community members who want to serve their neighbors and help ensure our elections continue to be secure, accessible, and well-run."
Poll workers are the face of local elections. They set up polling places, greet voters, verify registrations, issue ballots, explain voting equipment, and help voters understand their options throughout the voting process. They also play a critical role in ensuring every polling place is welcoming and accessible for all voters, including those who need language assistance or accommodations for disabilities.
This election, poll workers will also help implement important new voting processes that give voters more flexibility while ensuring ballots can be counted as quickly as possible. For example, voters may now bring their voted mail ballot to their assigned polling place, check in with the designated poll worker, and deposit their voted ballot directly into the ballot box—without using a return envelope. This process allows election workers to verify that the voter has not already voted and helps those ballots move more quickly into processing so they can be included in the Election Night results.
"Our poll workers do much more than staff voting locations," Cano said. "They help voters navigate new options, answer questions, and ensure every ballot is handled according to California law. Their training and professionalism are essential to providing a smooth voting experience and delivering timely election results."
Poll workers receive training before Election Day and are paid a small stipend for their service. The Elections Office welcomes applicants from all backgrounds and encourages bilingual community members, college students, and first-time poll workers to apply.
Signing up as a poll worker is an act of service for your community and your country, according to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. National Poll Worker Recruitment Day serves as a reminder that local elections depend on thousands of dedicated citizens who help their communities vote.
For more information about National Poll Worker Recruitment Day, visit HelpAmericaVote.gov. To learn more about becoming a poll worker in San Luis Obispo County or to apply, visit SloVote.com/pollworkers.
