Cates to take poll worker training

State Sen. Gary Cates said he will participate in poll worker training Monday afternoon in an effort to gain a deeper understanding of Ohio’s election system, while encouraging Ohioans to work at polling places on Election Day.

Cates, R-West Chester, said he plans to attend a three-hour introductory session at the Government Services Center, Court Street Entrance, 1st Floor, Room 02, 315 High Street, Hamilton at 1 p.m. Monday.

He also plans to work the polls on Nov. 6. In Butler County, depending on a poll worker’s job title at the precinct, pay ranges from $116 to $147 for the day. Cates said he will donate his Election Day pay to a local charity.

As chairman of the Senate's State & Local Government Committee, he is responsible for working on many elections issues. "Working the polls will be an excellent opportunity to better myself as a legislator and a citizen, while having a positive impact on elections in Butler County," Cates said in a prepared statement.

The Enquirer reported Monday that Hamilton County is about 350 workers short of the 3,520 people needed to cover the county’s 880 polling precincts. The Butler County Elections Board also estimates they will be short poll workers on Election Day.