Several South Carolina counties say they are still looking for hundreds of poll workers before Election Day as the state's no-excuse two-week early voting window opens Monday.
Since Oct. 5, nearly 600 people in Richland County have completed poll worker training.
But county election officials say they need twice that number to more efficiently manage and run the county's polling locations on Election Day.
"Democracy is not just a right we hold — it is a responsibility we share," Travis Alexander, Richland County's elections director, said in a statement. "Honor our civic duty. Serve our community. Become an election worker."
Richland County, home to the state's capital, is far from the only county searching for more poll workers before Nov. 3.
Counties in the Upstate have also asked residents to sign up as poll workers that without could in part result in longer lines on Election Day.
Poll managers must be registered South Carolina voters, while residents ages 16 or 17 can apply to be poll manager assistants.
The State Election Commission says clerks must be a registered voter in the county they are working or an adjoining county. And poll managers cannot work at a polling location if a candidate on the ballot is their spouse or relative.
Residents can get paid to be poll managers, poll manager assistants and clerks.
Poll managers and poll manager assistants can earn $135, while clerks can earn at least $295.
Some counties pay more.
In Richland County, a person who completes the mandatory three-hour training and one day of work can receive an $185 stipend.
South Carolina's no-excuse two-week early voting window opens from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19, and closes Saturday, Oct. 31.
Early voting locations will be closed Sunday, Oct. 25.
Polls will open on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
This article may be updated.
