Registered voters in Baldwin County, particularly those in Summerdale and communities to the south, are being encouraged to consider serving as poll workers ahead of upcoming elections.

A makeup training session is scheduled for Monday, April 27, at the Gulf Shores Activity Center, 260 Clubhouse Drive. Two sessions will be offered at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., providing an opportunity for those who missed earlier classes as well as new applicants to complete the required training.

Poll workers are paid election officials responsible for staffing local polling places and carrying out Election Day procedures. Their duties begin before ballots are cast, as each worker must complete mandatory training to prepare for the role. These workers play a critical role in the democratic process, helping ensure that the rights of every eligible voter are protected.

Serving as a poll worker offers residents a chance to gain firsthand knowledge of how elections function while contributing to their communities during a critical civic process.

To qualify, applicants must meet several requirements, according to the Alabama Secretary of State's (SOS) website. They must be registered voters in the state of Alabama and registered in the county where they wish to serve. Attendance at a poll worker training session is mandatory with no exceptions. Applicants also cannot be a member of a candidate's immediate family or within the second degree of kinship, nor can they be affiliated with a candidate's political committee.

Serving in this role is a duty that upholds integrity and honor while supporting the democratic process and serving one's community, county, state and country.

In January, Gulf Coast Media reported that the SOS was pushing for expanded poll worker recruitment efforts. Poll workers assist with voter check-in, ballot distribution and ensuring polling places operate smoothly throughout Election Day. Their work supports the integrity of the electoral process and helps guarantee voters are able to cast ballots efficiently and securely.

As part of that recruitment effort, SOS Wes Allen highlighted the state's Heroes at the Polls program, which encourages Alabama veterans to serve as poll workers.

More details about poll worker service are available at www.sos.alabama.gov.