By Jennifer Champagne
Managing Editor
As America prepares to celebrate 250 years of independence, Alger County officials are inviting residents to play a direct role in protecting one of the nation’s most fundamental institutions — the right to vote.
Free election worker certification classes will be offered July 7 and July 9 at the Alger County Courthouse conference room, providing community members an opportunity to become certified election workers and help administer future elections.
Classes will be held at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. both days. Participants who complete the training will receive Michigan Election Worker Certification, which remains valid for two years.
For Chief Deputy Administrative Assistant Cheri Goetz, the classes represent more than a training requirement. They are an opportunity for residents to gain firsthand knowledge of how elections operate and help strengthen public confidence in the process.
“Volunteers make elections happen,” Goetz said. “If we didn’t have volunteers, we would struggle.”
Election workers, sometimes called election inspectors, perform a variety of duties before, during and after voting. Their responsibilities include opening polling places, verifying equipment seals, assisting voters, processing absentee ballots, maintaining election records and helping close and secure polling locations after voting concludes.
Goetz and Alger County Clerk Joel VandeVelde will teach the certification courses.
“Every election worker has to be certified,” Goetz said. “The training gives people a firsthand look at how elections operate and all the safeguards that are in place to ensure the process is secure and transparent.”
The training covers the full range of Election Day procedures, from opening the polls and verifying security seals to ballot processing, documentation requirements and closing procedures.
Michigan’s election system relies heavily on trained local workers. State law requires bipartisan representation at polling locations, meaning both major political parties must be represented among election staff.
“We always have to have a Republican and a Democrat for Election Day,” Goetz said. “The third one can be the Green Party, but there always has to be a Republican and a Democrat.”
The need for election workers has grown in recent years, particularly following Michigan’s adoption of early voting requirements. In addition to traditional Election Day staffing, workers are now needed for multiple days of early voting before elections.
Goetz estimates that about 30 staffing slots are needed to cover Alger County’s early voting operations alone.
Beyond helping conduct elections, she believes the training offers residents a valuable opportunity to understand the extensive safeguards built into the voting process.
“I think one of the biggest benefits is transparency,” Goetz said. “When people see firsthand how elections are conducted, they can see the safeguards in place and know we’re doing things the right way.”
Election administration has become the subject of increased public scrutiny in recent years, often fueled by misinformation and misunderstandings about how votes are processed and counted. Goetz said participation can help dispel many of those concerns.
“When people see firsthand how elections are conducted, they realize it’s not nearly as simple to manipulate as some may believe,” she said.
She noted that election workers learn about numerous security measures, including chain-of-custody procedures, equipment safeguards, documentation requirements and bipartisan oversight designed to ensure accuracy and accountability.
“We take extensive measures to ensure every election is honest, secure, transparent and conducted with integrity,” Goetz said.
For residents who may not wish to work elections regularly, the class can still be valuable.
Goetz said some participants attend simply to better understand how Michigan elections operate.
“My dad took the class because it was offered at no cost, and he wanted to gain a firsthand understanding of the election process and the safeguards that help ensure its integrity,” she said.
That educational aspect is one reason local officials hope more residents will participate.
Election workers are often neighbors, retirees, veterans, teachers and community volunteers who help ensure that local elections run smoothly. Their presence helps maintain public trust while providing an important civic service.
“Serving as an election worker is a meaningful way for residents to come together in support of their community and the democratic process,” Goetz said.
She also sees the effort as reflective of Alger County’s community spirit.
“That’s what people in Alger County do — we show up for one another,” Goetz said. “Serving as an election worker is another way to help your neighbors and support your community.”
Residents interested in becoming certified election workers may register by contacting Goetz at 906-387-7032.