Edmonton still seeking standby, half-day workers for municipal election

Edmonton Elections is looking to fill nearly 1,000 positions for the municipal election in October.

Edmonton Elections is actively searching to fill just under 1,000 half-day and standby positions needed on Oct. 20, the city’s municipal election day.

Recruitment began in mid-July for the 5,000 positions at the polls and during advance voting from Oct. 7 to 11.

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More than 5,000 applications had been received by early September, meaning voting stations are fully staffed for both advance polls and election day.

Edmonton Elections Returning Officer Aileen Giesbrecht said residents have “definitely been showing up.”

But that doesn’t mean the opportunities are over, she added in a news release from the city.

Norquest College’s hiring fair on Tuesday is a final recruitment effort for half-day counting shifts that begin once voting stations close on Oct. 20.

The city said it’s also looking for standby workers to fill in on election day as needed for emergencies.

There may also be a chance to hand count ballots the day after the election if needed.

The first wave of workers were hired after an internal recruitment drive within the city workers themselves and past municipal election workers, who got early application privileges.

The age limit of election workers was dropped to 16 to give high school students the opportunity to work as Deputy Returning Officers, a supporting role at voting stations.

Edmonton Public Schools are providing a PD day on Oct. 20 for students who will be working.