Elections Alberta is looking for more people to work the polls in Jasper, with the West Yellowhead electoral division still short about 200 election workers ahead of the Oct. 19 referendum.

Jasper is one of the communities being prioritized for recruitment, according to Catie Kopp, Returning Officer for West Yellowhead.

“We need about 200 more workers, and Jasper is one of our top priorities,” Kopp said.

Election Officers will work at voting locations, with a particular need for people willing to count ballots in the evening and overnight following the close of voting.

Kopp said Jasper’s seasonal workforce could make the short-term paid positions a good fit for people between jobs, working fewer hours this fall or otherwise looking for temporary employment.

The recruitment effort extends across the large West Yellowhead riding, from Grande Cache through Jasper, Hinton and Edson to Whitecourt.

“This is a huge area to cover, and every community needs to be ready,” Kopp said. “Whether you’re in Jasper, Hinton, Edson, Grande Cache, Whitecourt, or one of our smaller communities, we need local people to help make sure everyone has the opportunity to have their say.”

Elections Alberta is also encouraging local nonprofits, clubs and community organizations to consider supplying election workers as a group. Kopp said organizations can earn money while helping staff voting locations in their communities.

The positions are paid, and Elections Alberta is encouraging anyone interested in working during the referendum to apply as soon as possible.

Jasper Local staff // info@thejasperlocal.com