Adopt-A-Poll program staffs poll sites and raises money for good causes

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The Kern County Elections Office is getting the community involved with Election Day. Through their Adopt-A-Poll program, local businesses, nonprofits or clubs can sign up to “adopt” a poll site and staff a precinct table.

“The poll sites consist of our clerks, site supervisors or supervisor inspector.”

Those are the different roles Acting Division Chief Laura Cantu said Adopt-A-Poll participants will fill.

“The hope for it is to get involvement, you know, to make sure we have enough poll workers and, again, people wanting to be involved with the process," said Cantu.

Cantu said volunteers who staff the polls will get stipends ranging from $110 to $150. The idea behind Adopt-A-Poll is those stipends are like a fundraiser.

“So if the entire site is staffed by an organization and they are offering to donate their stipend, that would be great," said Cantu.

Adopt-A-Poll participants will take a training class to ensure they are fully prepared to help voters on Election Day. Cantu said she wants Kern County to know that even if you aren’t a part of an organization that will participate in Adopt-A-Poll, you can still work the poll sites.

“Anyone interested in participating in the process, we do encourage them to do so," said Cantu.

Those who staff the poll sites need to be U.S. citizens at least 18 years old, and must be available from 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on November 3 for Election Day. For more information or to sign up, click here.