Election volunteers are sought in Mercer County

MERCER, Pa. — The Mercer County Bureau of Elections is looking for area high schoolers to help with the upcoming primary election.

The county is expanding its student poll worker program, which now includes pupils from Sharon, Mercer and Wilmington schools, according to Jeff Greenburg, director of elections.

“This is a great opportunity for students who must give back to their communities as part of their graduation requirements or who simply have an interest in politics and elections,” Greenburg said. “Students get the chance to get up close and personal with, perhaps, the most fundamental building block of our representative democracy — elections. “

Student volunteers are required to attend a regularly-scheduled 90-minute training session about two weeks before the April 22 primary.

They are then sworn in on Election Day along with the adult poll workers and can perform any election work that’s asked of them by the precinct’s Judge of Elections. Because they aren’t paid, students have the option of working a full or partial day.

An appropriate school administrator or government teacher from each district interested in having students participate should contact Greenburg at (724) 662-7542 or by e-mail at jgreenburg@mcc.co.mercer.pa.us for more information.