Tennessee, Hamilton County sees increase of younger poll workers during early voting

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Tennessee’s Secretary of State Tre Hargett announced Thursday that 19,000 people have applied to work the polls this election season.

This comes after some states have had to close polling locations because they do not have enough poll officials.

We checked in with how poll workers are holding up at the Hamilton County Election Commission. The line of voters at the Hamilton County Election Commission still snaked around the outside of the building Friday morning.

However, Angela Humphries, a poll worker in the area for more than 30 years, said a certain demographic has stepped in to help make things run smoothly inside.

“We’ve been averaging about 2,000 voters a day,” Humphries said.

It’s possible she’s greeted millions in her three decades of being a poll worker in our area.

“I’ve seen it all,” she said. “We’re overwhelmed some days but we’re glad to see the voters coming through and voting."'

Humphries believes the election commission in Hamilton County is confident they’ll have enough poll workers set for election day November 3.

In July, we reported the Ham Co commission was struggling to recruit poll workers.

The commission said the average age poll workers here IS USUALLY about 70, one of the higher risk groups of people for COVID-19.

“A lot of older people that were once doing the poll working, because of the pandemic, the young people have been able to come in and step up,” Humphries said.

Now, many poll officials in this election are serving for the first time—like 19-year old Charlie.

“This is a history-making election, we’ve got to do it,” Charlie said.

Charlie gives Angela hope that young people will continue helping in future elections.

"Our bodies may be tired physically, but we love to see the people flow through,” she said.

The Ham County Election Commission is still looking for poll workers to help on for the remaining early voting days.

If you want to help, you can call, go online, or apply at the election commission office in person.

You just have to be 18 years old or older.

WHERE & WHEN TO VOTE

Here is information for where and when you can vote early in the Chattanooga area through October 29:

Brainerd Rec Center

1010 North Moore Rd

Monday thru Friday: 10:00am – 6:00pm

Saturday: 10:00am – 4:00pm

Collegedale City Hall

4910 Swinyar Drive

Monday thru Friday: 10:00am – 6:00pm

Saturday: 10:00am – 4:00pm

Hamilton County Election Commission

700 River Terminal Rd

Monday thru Friday: 8:00am – 7:00pm

Saturday: 10:00am – 4:00pm

Hixson Community Center

5401 School Drive

Monday thru Friday: 10:00am – 6:00pm

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Saturday: 10:00am – 4:00p