Michigan needs more poll workers. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is encouraging people to sign up. With recent changes to election laws in Michigan, adding workers across the state will be essential.

Clerks need more staff to support the early voting requirements added to the state constitution by voters last November. All jurisdictions will offer at least nine days of early voting in the 2024 elections.

“Poll workers are our most valuable asset in conducting Michigan’s safe, secure and accurate elections,” Benson said in a news release. “Serving as a poll worker is the best way to experience the integrity of our election system firsthand and to ensure the continued strength of our democracy. I’m thankful for the service of Michigan’s thousands of election workers and I encourage everyone to sign up to be a poll worker in their community.”

Residents can learn more and sign up at Michigan.gov/Pollworker. A poll worker, or election inspector, is a hired, paid and trained local government worker who assists with running local elections in compliance with state law. Each county, city, and township in M ichigan hires and pays election inspectors, who may be assigned different responsibilities. At a polling place or early voting site, election inspectors greet and check in voters, issue ballots and assist with tabulation. Individuals may also be hired to assist with processing absentee ballots.

To be a poll worker, the person must be at least 16 years of age and a Michigan resident. Those who are at least 18 must be a registered Michigan voter.

Also, poll workers must affiliate with a political party. Although party registration is not a requirement, state law requires poll workers disclose a political affiliation to ensure balanced staffing.

As elections come under heightened scrutiny, another job requirement worth mentioning is the need for courage — or at least having a thick skin.

Election worker intimidation is a key element of the conspiracy alleged in the Georgia case against former President Donald Trump and 18 other defendants. The indictment alleges that several defendants falsely accused Fulton County election worker Ruby Freeman of committing election crimes. Reportedly, a campaign of harassment led to death threats against both Freeman and her daughter and co-worker, Wandrea “Shaye” Moss.

A yearslong investigation by the FBI, the Georgia Bureau of Investigations and investigators from the Secretary of State’s office concluded in June that the claims of election fraud had no merit.

There has been no such drama locally, thankfully, even as accusations of misconduct elsewhere prove hard to wipe out. Self-advertised “election integrity expect” David Clements of New Mexico, who spoke in Dickinson County in May, was continuing to defame Freeman as recently as a year ago, according to Reuters news service.

If rough treatment of election workers gives you pause, there’s another option for service.

Election observers — otherwise known as election challengers or poll watchers — are volunteers who observe the process as permitted by state law.

Election challengers are non-governmental observers who are appointed and issued a credential by a political party, special interest group or qualified organization. Election law limits the number of participants. Poll watchers, meanwhile, are non-governmental volunteer observers without credentials.

To learn more about election inspectors as well as the appointment, rights and duties of election challengers and poll watchers, go to https://www.michigan.gov/sos/elections/pollworker#FAQs.

— The Iron Mountain Daily News