AP: Tennessee draws 19,000 applicants to be poll workers

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee has drawn more than 19,000 applicants willing to serve during the COVID-19 pandemic as poll workers.

Secretary of State Tre Hargett’s office says the response was so overwhelming that some county election administrators filled all their positions and haven’t yet had the chance to follow up with additional applicants.

The totals follow a recruitment campaign by Hargett’s office that began ahead of the Aug. 6 primary.

Officials say presidential elections in Tennessee require about 17,000 poll officials statewide.

Most counties have hired enough poll workers, but some are still recruiting to fill Election Day positions on Nov. 3.

Hargett’s office suggests calling the local election commission to see if there are more slots to fill.

“Some states have had to close polling locations because they do not have enough poll officials,” state Coordinator of Elections Mark Goins said in a news release. “That is not the case in Tennessee.”