Election worker shortage in 3 western Alaska communities solved

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - With the Nov. 8 general election under a week away, three Alaska voting precincts have solved their election worker shortage, according to the Division of Elections.

Director of Elections Gail Fenumiai said yesterday that three rural Alaska communities — Wainwright, St. Mary’s, and Goodnews Bay — did not have the necessary number of poll workers to allow voters to cast ballots on Election Day.

Wednesday afternoon, the Division of Elections was contacted by three people who indicated they wanted to help in Wainwright.

Then, by Thursday morning, the Division of Elections reported that workers were found for all three precincts.

Alaska voter rolls show a total of 1,024 voters total were potentially affected by the poll worker shortage in the three communities. Fenumiai says it’s frequently a challenge to staff small, remote communities.

Anyone wishing to help staff precincts in western Alaska for future elections can contact the Division of Elections office in Nome at 907-443-5285 or 866-953-8683.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect that the election worker shortage has been solved.

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