By MFE contributor | September 24, 2024
Election inspectors, also called poll workers, play a critical role in ensuring elections are conducted in a fair and transparent manner. So crucial are election inspectors that Michigan law (MCL - Section 168.674) requires clerks to “appoint an equal number, as nearly as possible, of election inspectors in each election precinct from each major political party.” But during the Aug. 6 primary election, a 7-to-1 imbalance existed in the political affiliation of Detroit poll workers.
According to data provided by the Detroit City Clerk and verified by Michigan Fair Elections, Detroit election officials hired 2,340 Democrat election inspectors compared to 302 Republicans. This imbalance raised concerns about the fairness and integrity of the voting process, so Pure Integrity Michigan Elections (PIME) and the Michigan Conservative Coalition (MCC) brought this issue to light. They then went to work to remedy the problem in time for the 2024 election.
What is a citizen to do?
PIME and MCC constructed a sign-up form on the PIME website and hired experts to train applicants. These experienced mentors help applicants through the hiring process in the Detroit clerk's office.
"We hold guidance zooms to answer questions and walk applicants through the application process," said Marian Sheridan, who is dedicated to recruiting 1,000 Election workers for Detroit and is providing supplemental training for them.
“The pay is good, and the work environment is safe,” Patrice Johnson, the founder and chair of Pure Integrity Michigan Elections (PIME), said. “People can do their patriotic duty and get paid to boot, earning between $300 to $700 a day.” She added that the Detroit clerk asks its election inspectors to work three consecutive days. “Between early voting and the Absent Voter Counting Board, there are plenty of open slots.”
In 2022, the City of Flint had a similar imbalance, so PIME filed a demand letter warning of potential litigation. The clerk of 20 years resigned the next day.
Importance of Poll Worker Parity
Election inspectors, also called poll workers, manage ballots, assist voters, and participate in the overall voting process. As a mechanism to ensure a balanced representation, each year by May 15, county chairs of major political parties are allowed to submit a list of individuals interested in serving as election inspectors.
“Their presence allows them to monitor elections firsthand and ensure that everything runs smoothly and according to the law,” said Johnson, a longtime advocate for equal representation among poll workers.
As importantly, poll workers are also in a prime position to identify and report any irregularities or issues that may arise during the voting process.
“The intent of the law is to ensure parity between the two parties and maintain a healthy system of checks and balances,” Johnson said. “Nowhere is this self-correcting system more important than in Detroit.” Wayne County is home to Detroit and the most populous county in Michigan. Wayne’s 1.4 million registered voters represent 17 percent of the state’s entire voter population of 8.3 million.
“Our constitution was founded on the concept that checks and balances are the best way to keep things fair,” Johnson said. “When your numbers are out-of-kilter and you don’t have equal representation, the check-and-balance system breaks down.”
She emphasized that fixing disparity in Detroit and other areas in the state is vital in order to maintain public trust in elections and the electoral process.
The imbalance in election worker hiring practices is not just a political issue. It is also a matter of upholding the integrity of the democratic process. Equal representation of both major political parties among poll workers is essential to ensuring that elections are fair and transparent.
What you can do:
Sign up today. Get involved in ensuring election integrity. Sign up as a poll worker at Pure Integrity Michigan Elections website, or contact PIME2024@protonmail.com
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