With Election Day being just a week away, Wake County has been training poll workers to make sure voting goes smoothly for everyone. Early voting continues through Saturday afternoon.

What You Need To Know

  • Early voting ends Nov. 2

  • The general election is Nov. 5

  • Residents can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the early voting period

Richard Heinz is the chief judge at Lake Lynn early voting site in Wake County. In that role, he makes sure his team is properly trained and well versed in the rules, regulations and laws of early voting. He has been helping with elections for more than two decades.

This year, he is supervising nearly 60 poll workers at the Lake Lynn site. 

Wake County has 22 early voting sites this year, and there are hundreds throughout the state. North Carolina is seeing a huge interest in casting ballots before Nov. 5. 

“The worst has been an hour, but average wait time [is] 30 to 60 minutes,” Heinz said.

In Wake County, poll workers must work a morning or an afternoon shift during early voting.

Heinz said there are at least 30 people working per shift to accommodate the mass amount of people coming to vote. 

“The training we get helps us tremendously,” said Heinz.

Workers must undergo extensive training. 

Being a poll worker is an important job focused on keeping the election process secure, so workers have thorough training to learn about the process for either early voting or the general election, including a class. 

“We spend a minimum of three hours in class,” Heinz said.

Heinz said the big early voting numbers so far are great, but for him this election season is about serving the community and lending a hand. 

“We are able to take care of people,” said Heinz.

People interested in working the polls are advised to contact their local Board of Elections office to sign up.

Find voting resources here.