Montgomery County Faces Critical Election Worker Shortage

**Urgent Call Issued as Montgomery County Faces Critical Poll Worker Shortage for Upcoming Elections**

**MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TX –** With crucial elections just weeks away, Montgomery County is grappling with a severe shortage of election poll workers, prompting an urgent plea from County Elections Administrator Suzie Harvey for residents to step up and ensure the integrity and accessibility of local elections. The situation is particularly dire for the May 4 general elections and the May 28 primary runoffs, with every single polling location currently understaffed for the initial May 4 vote.

“We are in critical need of dedicated individuals to serve our community,” Harvey emphasized. “Without enough poll workers, our ability to conduct smooth and accessible elections is severely jeopardized. This is a vital civic duty that directly impacts our democratic process.”

For the **May 4 General Elections**, which encompass municipal races for cities including Conroe, Willis, Magnolia, and Splendora, alongside school board elections for Conroe ISD, Splendora ISD, Magnolia ISD, Montgomery ISD, and Willis ISD, approximately 200 workers are still required across 44 polling locations. Each of these locations mandates a Presiding Judge, an Alternate Judge, and at least two clerks. Alarmingly, many locations lack even a Presiding Judge, with some currently having zero workers assigned.

A significant contributing factor to the May 4 shortage is a recent shift in election code. Cities and school districts are now directly responsible for recruiting their own non-partisan election judges and clerks, a change from previous years when they could rely more heavily on partisan “Election Day Clerks” recruited through the county. This new recruitment burden has proven challenging for these smaller entities.

The need intensifies for the **May 28 Primary Runoffs**, which are directly managed by the County Elections Administrator for both Republican and Democratic parties. For these runoffs, the demand nearly doubles, requiring about 400 workers to staff 92 polling locations across the county.

**Aging Workforce and Recruitment Challenges**

A major underlying cause of the ongoing shortage is an aging workforce. Many long-time, dedicated poll workers, often in their 70s, 80s, and even 90s, are stepping down due to the demanding nature of the job, including long hours and increased technological requirements. The influx of new, younger recruits has not been sufficient to fill this significant void.

**Requirements and Compensation**

To serve as a poll worker, individuals must meet several criteria:
* Be a registered voter in Montgomery County.
* Be at least 18 years old.
* Be a U.S. citizen.
* Not have been convicted of a felony or declared mentally incapacitated.

Presiding Judges and Alternate Judges are required to reside in the specific precinct they serve, ensuring local knowledge and representation. Clerks, however, can work at any polling location within the county.

While the role is a civic duty, it is also compensated. Presiding Judges receive $15 per hour, and clerks are paid $12 per hour. All workers also receive compensation for mandatory training sessions. Election Day hours are rigorous, often beginning as early as 6 AM and extending past 8 PM.

**How to Apply**

Montgomery County residents who wish to contribute to their local elections are urged to act quickly:

* **For the May 4 local elections** (cities and school districts), interested individuals should contact their specific city or school district election officials directly. Information on contacting these officials can typically be found on the respective city or school district websites.
* **For the May 28 primary runoffs**, applications can be found and submitted through the Montgomery County Elections website. Visit [www.mctx.org/elections](http://www.mctx.org/elections) and navigate to the “Poll Worker Information” section for details and application forms.

Administrator Harvey reiterated the crucial role poll workers play. “Fair and accessible elections are the bedrock of our democracy,” she stated. “We need our community to rise to this challenge and ensure that every vote in Montgomery County can be cast and counted smoothly.”