Travis, Williamson counties in need of poll workers

TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Several counties in Central Texas are looking to fill poll worker positions ahead of the November election.

Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson encouraged interested Texans to engage with the election process by signing up to be a poll worker this week.

"Working as an election poll worker is a good way to get involved in your community and support democracy," said Secretary Nelson. "Poll workers are often the face of the voting process and are critical to the success of an election."

From greeting voters to helping them through the voting process, Matt Mackowiak with the Travis County Republican Party said these workers are vital for all parties.

"It is important that both parties take full advantage of the rights they have within law to try to help election officials fill the partisan poll worker positions they have for both parties at all election locations," Mackowiak said.

During the pandemic it was hard to fill these positions, but the challenge persists. That's why counties in Central Texas are working to fill positions now.

The Travis County Clerk's office tells us— they still need to confirm polling locations, but they will need about 500 poll workers for early voting and about 1,000 for Election Day.

Williamson County tells KXAN they need about 800 election workers.

For more information about how to become a poll worker click here.

KXAN did reach out to the Travis County Democratic Party for comment, but did not hear back before this story aired.