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100 people desperately needed to work election in Red Deer

At least 100 people are “desperately” needed to work on election day in Red Deer, says returning officer Wayne Hutmacher.
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At least 100 people are desperately needed to work on election day in Red Deer, says returning officer Wayne Hutmacher.

Hutmacher said lots of help is needed to make this democratic process work on May 2.

“The public doesn’t know that we employ 600 or more people to pull this off,” he said. “Last few days people have been dropping out left, right and centre. We are struggling.”

In order to find the help, Election Canada representatives have been scouting at the Red Deer College, the three local high schools and tapping into phone lists from previous elections.

“We have utilized that,” said Hutmacher. “We’re desperate.”

Various poll positions are open to work in the more than 260 polling stations. Workers must be 16 years of age, a Canadian citizen and live within the County of Red Deer.

“It is always bad,” said Hutmacher. “I have been doing this since 1988. It’s always a major task but this year it seems all of a sudden last week we had enough people to suffice but we have had a number of people drop off. We had a (training) class of 32 this morning seven people didn’t show up.”

Workers can make $160 or more for a 12-hour period plus training.

Returning offices for Wetaskiwin, Crowfoot and Wildrose ridings all report sufficient election staff.

For more information call 403-356-2630

crhyno@www.reddeeradvocate.com