Designated as Help Oakland Vote Day to highlight the need for workers, Johnson and community clerks will be putting out the welcome mat in their offices for people interested in working the polls during elections.

In addition to poll worker applications, many clerks are planning demonstrations of the new optical scan voting machines and the AutoMARK for disabled voters. They will also register voters.

"Some communities have enough workers, but others are really struggling," said Ruth Johnson. "This is a great way for people to meet their neighbors, make a little money and more importantly, be engaged in the democratic process."

Poll workers are paid, although many work on Election Day as a way to give back to their communities, Johnson said. "Democracy isn't a spectator sport. We need people to get involved and help keep the system working smoothly."

According to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, the average age of an election worker in this country is 72.

Farmington Hills City Clerk Kathy Dornan said poll workers are dedicated and hardworking. They generally put in at least a 14-hour day. "A great precinct worker is one of the clerk's most valuable assets," Dornan said. "Although we conduct elections, it's impossible for us to be in every precinct. We have to rely on our poll workers."

Commerce Township Clerk Sandra Abrams said good workers are always needed - but especially for 2008.  "We have a big election year approaching with new equipment and new regulations, including the new photo ID requirement. It's going to be a challenge."

Clerks today try everything they can to recruit election workers - from advertising to tucking "help wanted" notices in with local tax bills. Others put up flyers at hair salons, churches and colleges. One clerk said every new family who comes in for a "welcome" packet gets asked about working the polls.

Cities participating include Auburn Hills, Birmingham, Clawson, Farmington, Farmington Hills, Ferndale, Lathrup Village, Madison Heights, Novi, Oak Park, Pontiac, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Southfield, Sylvan Lake, Troy and Walled Lake.

Townships participating include Addison, Bloomfield, Brandon, Commerce, Groveland, Highland, Independence, Milford, Novi, Oxford, Southfield, Springfield, Waterford, West Bloomfield and White Lake.

"There's a shortage of qualified election workers," said Oak Park City Clerk Sandra Gadd. "We encourage everyone who is thinking about it to apply so we can get them trained this year. We're really going to need them in 2008."

As a special kick-off to Help Oakland Vote Day, Ruth Johnson is honoring more than 100 long-time election workers who have already helped at the polls - some for 40 to 55 years. The ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. in the Board of Commissioners Auditorium.*

Johnson said the Clerk's Office, for the first time ever, will offer poll worker applications online at its web site - www.oakgov.com/clerkrod - beginning Oct. 3. Or, anyone interested may call the Elections Division at (248) 858-0564.

"We want to make it as convenient as possible for our citizens to contribute to our democratic system," Johnson said.

*Members of the media. If you would like to attend the ceremony honoring long-time election workers, please RSVP to Tracy Ward at wardt@oakgov.com or
 (248) 858-0566.