WAILUKU — The Maui County Elections Division is recruiting precinct officials to staff voting sites around the county for the Primary and General Elections on Sept. 18 and Nov. 2.

Workers are needed in all locations, but election officials reported a severe shortage in West Maui, which has five polling sites.

Training is required; classes are being scheduled in the various regions by the Elections Division of the Office of the County Clerk.

“While more voters are choosing to vote by mail or as walk-in absentees, our elections still rely on quality service at the polling sites,” said Maui County Clerk Jeff Kuwada.

“We will need capable workers at each precinct to assist voters in understanding the ballots and the voting process. We urge qualified citizens to assist in providing a service to the community and to help assure a successful election process.”

Workers must be at least 16 as of June 30, registered voters, able to read and write English and able to lift 25-35 pounds of materials. (Students who are at least 16 may register to vote, although they may not vote until they are 18.)

Precinct workers are paid for their work on election day: $100 for a voter assistance official responsible for assisting the chairperson in managing a polling site, and $85 for precinct officials working at a polling site.

Kuwada noted that clubs and community groups have provided members to work at polling sites as a way of raising funds for the organization. It is also an opportunity for students to participate in the democratic process and be paid for the experience.

For information, or to register to be a precinct official, call the Maui County Elections Division at 270-7749. Information also can be found online at http://hawaii.gov/elections/fact sheets/fsp0403.pdf and http://hawaii.gov/elections.