Secretary of State Diego Morales is visiting several Hoosier counties to hand deliver election improvement grants.
On Tuesday, Morales stopped in Montgomery County to present a $64,240 grant to Clerk Leah Denbo and her staff at the courthouse.
Denbo said the funds will be used to purchase eight ballot readers and three voting machines.
More than 60 Indiana counties are receiving federal Help America Vote Act grant dollars to go towards local election improvement and security efforts. These statewide grants are valued at approximately $2 million. By week’s end, Morales will have visited 64 counties since the start of the year.
“When I visited county clerks last year I listened to their needs and concerns and promised to help provide them with the tools and resources they need,” Morales said. “Tools and resources come in all different ways, one, of course, being financial resources. I am so excited and honored to be able to hand deliver these funds to help our counties grow stronger.”
Morales thanked Denbo, her staff and former county clerk Karyn Douglas for being “the backbone of our elections.”
“The best way to spend this money is to take it directly to the counties, to the county clerk’s office, because you know what’s best for Montgomery County,” Morales said. “My job is to bring the resources directly to you. I believe the stronger Montgomery County is, the stronger our state will be.”
Morales’ visit to Montgomery County coincided with the nationally recognized Help America Vote Day, which draws attention to the nationwide shortage of poll workers, and the importance of citizen involvement in the election process.
Morales encourages Hoosiers to register to vote, to plan to vote and to consider serving as a paid poll worker in the upcoming May Primary Election and November General Election.
“Election workers are an essential part of the election process and it’s one of the most meaningful ways that Hoosiers can do their part to serve their communities,” Morales said. “We are excited to recognize Help America Vote Day to help kick-off the new year by bringing awareness to our efforts to recruit poll workers to ensure that all eligible voters in the Hoosier state can cast their ballots in the upcoming elections.”
Adequate numbers of poll workers to staff polling places ensures that Hoosier voters receive the assistance they need at the polls, reduces the potential for long lines, and helps provide a smooth voting experience. In some counties, funds from the election improvement grants are being dedicated to increasing poll worker pay and poll worker recruitment.
While Montgomery County does not have a shortage of poll workers, Denbo said “there’s always room for more.” She’s especially interested in attracting high school students to serve. Poll workers in Montgomery County receive $100 a day for their work.
The Indiana Secretary of State’s Office has a poll worker recruitment program called Hoosier Hall Pass, giving 16- and 17-year-old students the opportunity to actively participate in their community and work on Election Day. To learn more about Hoosier Hall Pass and the requirements or how to become a poll worker, visit sos.in.gov.
Contact the county clerk’s office or election office for information about serving as a poll worker.
