Lee County reports shortage of poll workers for 2020 primary

The pandemic is not only threatening your health and wallet, but it’s now adding stress to Election Day.

Poll workers are desperately needed to make sure your vote counts and the Lee County supervisor of elections is hoping to address the issue.

Due to the elections office being down about a thousand poll workers, Supervisor of Elections Tommy Doyle is asking voters to be patient when they come out to vote in the state’s primary on Aug. 18.

To help manage the shortage, Doyle is asking the City of Fort Myers to adopt a new policy that encourages city employees to volunteer as poll workers.

The city council is expected to discuss how they can help at Monday’s meeting.

A Bonita Springs woman said she tried to sign up about a month to become a poll worker, but she never heard back.

“I’ve heard too many stories about them closing polls and not having people, so I said, ‘Well, I could go do this’,” said Holly Wasylyk.

But she never received a phone call or email after expressing interest. “I’ve tried and reached out like three or four times.”

All she wants to do is “help out, I mean, to make sure that they don’t have to close polling sites.”

Lee County also needs people for the general election in November and its early voting days.

In the meantime, the elections office has cut down the number of polling locations available.

“We reduced our polling locations from 125 to 96. That means, it’s possible, or should I say if you come to the polls, bring patience with you because it will create wait times,” Doyle said.

One way to reduce those lines is to take advantage of early voting, which begins Saturday.

As you head to the polls to cast your vote, you’re asked to wear a face mask. If you don’t have one, your polling location will provide one.

Because of the shortage in poll workers, some of your normal polling locations may be closed this year.

You can find the voting precinct nearest to you here. And for information on becoming a poll worker in Lee County, click here or call 239-LEE-VOTE (533-8683). When you apply, you will receive a confirmation notice.