Young people sign on as poll workers

YOUNGSTOWN — Steven Bensinger, 18, is part of an excited new generation of poll workers.

The South Range senior received his poll worker training Saturday at the Mahoning County Board of Elections.

He’s never cast a vote in an election before. But he knows which box he will check on March 4.

“I want to vote for Obama,” he said. “I did a report about him a long time ago and I’ve always been interested in him ever since.”

Young people like Bensinger have come forward in force since the board of elections sounded the call for 17- and 18-year-old poll workers this election. About 600 high schoolers responded — more than twice the availability, said Joyce Kale-Pesta, the board’s deputy director.

The county has never solicited assistance from school-age individuals before.

For more, read Sunday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com