DeSoto County election officials in need of poll managers

We are getting into the active part of the 2023 election campaign cycle as candidates hold events, press the flesh and talk to people, all seeking votes for the Aug. 8 primary election in DeSoto County.  

One part of the election process that also is making preparations for that day involves the people who you will meet and interact with on Election Day, those who will be involved in processing and helping count the votes that are cast.  

DeSoto County Election Commissioners have put out a call for poll managers to work at the various precinct locations on Aug. 8 and again for the general election on Nov. 7. 

With 47 precincts in DeSoto County and a minimum of eight poll managers needed for each precinct, at least 375 people will be called on to make the voting process run smoothly on Election Day. 

According to Election Commissioners, a poll manager has several vital responsibilities when voters go to the polls. They set up the equipment at the precinct site and be sure everything is working when the polls open at 7 a.m.  Poll managers then check in and issue ballots to the voters. 

Ahead of Election Day, poll managers will also be required to do a minimum of four hours of training. Once done, the training is good for one year. 

Compensation as a poll manager is $175 per day. Poll managers must be at the precinct site one hour ahead of the polls opening and must stay there until the equipment is packed and reports completed after the polls are closed.

Interested people can go to the official DeSoto County Government website and complete the application found at: https://www.desotocountyms.gov/808/Poll-Manager-Application. 

The other requirement is that poll managers must be a registered voter in DeSoto County. Commissioners are looking to hold poll manager training the week of July 10 so interested people need to apply as soon as possible.