Central Virginia Times

In a bid to bolster the integrity of the upcoming November elections, Gov. Glenn Youngkin has rallied Virginians to step up as officers of election, coinciding with National Poll Worker Recruitment Day, according to a press release. With a growing need for fresh faces due to retiring officers, the call to serve aims to maintain the accuracy and security of the Commonwealth's voting process.

“We are grateful to Virginia’s officers of election who staff polling places, check-in voters and ensure accurate and secure elections in the Commonwealth,” Youngkin said. “But as some of our most reliable, long-serving officers are retiring, we need new officers to sustain our efforts. We are asking every eligible voter in Virginia to consider serving their community in this way.”

There is a demand for over 15,000 officers to staff polling locations across the Commonwealth on both Election Day and during early voting, and interested individuals, who must be qualified Virginia voters, can find application details on the Virginia Department of Elections - Officer of Elections webpage. Compensation is provided for these officers, and in accordance with Virginia law, employers are obligated to grant leave on Election Day without impacting vacation time or incurring disciplinary actions.

The date for Election Day is set as Nov. 7, with early voting scheduled to commence on Sept. 22. This upcoming fall, the ballot will encompass contests for all 140 seats within the General Assembly, along with multiple local offices.