The June 5 election is less than two weeks away and hundreds of poll workers, especially those who are bilingual in any one of six specific languages, are still needed for the Gubernatorial Primary Election.
The Registrar’s office is required by federal law to provide bilingual speakers and voting materials to voters who speak Spanish, Filipino, Vietnamese and Chinese. A survey by the University of California, Berkeley showed a need for speakers of Arabic and Korean at about 90 precincts, so the Registrar’s office is also recruiting bilingual poll workers in those languages for the June 5 election.
In addition, the Registrar needs standby poll workers who can be assigned on short notice. Standbys who can also speak a second language are in demand, too. Poll workers receive a stipend ranging from $100 to $175 depending on the assignment, and those who are bilingual receive an additional $15 if they are assigned specifically to provide language assistance to voters.
Poll workers must be registered voters in the state of California or must be permanent residents in the United States and have transportation to their assigned polling location; they will also need access to the internet to complete an online training and attend a 3-hour, 15-minute class. Poll workers can volunteer in their own community or any community within the county.
Bilingual poll workers fluent in English and one or more of the following languages are needed in these cities and neighborhoods:
Arabic: Downtown, El Cajon, Rancho Peñasquitos, Spring Valley and University City.
Chinese: Carlsbad, Del Mar Heights, Encinitas, La Jolla, Mira Mesa, Normal Heights, Poway, Rancho Bernardo, Rolando Redwood, San Marcos and University City.
Filipino: 4S Ranch, Chula Vista, Del Dios, Encanto, Escondido, Mira Mesa, National City, Nestor Oceanside, Otay, Pomerado, San Ysidro and Spring Valley.
Korean: Del Mar Heights, La Jolla and Rancho Peñasquitos.
Spanish: Alpine, Campo, Carlsbad, Chula Vista, El Cajon, Encanto, Encinitas, Escondido, Fallbrook, La Mesa, Mira Mesa, North Park, Oceanside, Paradise Hills, Poway, Rancho Bernardo, San Marcos, Santee, Scripps/Pomerado, Serra Mesa, Tierrasanta, Valley Center and Vista.
Vietnamese: 4S Ranch, Bonsall, Carlsbad, Chollas Park, Chula Vista, City Heights, Clairemont, Del Dios, Del Mar Heights, El Cajon, Encanto, Escondido, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, Oceanside, Paradise Hills, Poway, San Carlos, San Marcos, Santee, Spring Valley, Tierrasanta, University City, Valley Center and Vista.
Poll workers are also needed in Carlsbad, El Cajon, Encinitas, Rancho Peñasquitos and Santee.
Prospective poll workers can apply online at sdvote.com. For more information, call (858) 565-5800 or email pollworker@sdcounty.ca.gov.
