[marajade]

"and got a last minute infusion of county employees to fill in some gaps."

Isn't that some kind of violation in conflict of interest? I know as a state worker for AZ I'm very limited as to any kind of a role I could have in a campaign...

[Goldwater Girl]

Yes- we have restrictions on campaign activities for government employees, too but poll workers are not campaign workers-cannot be, in Florida.
Poll workers are paid by the county for their impartial service on election day. Most come from party executive committees, as the law requires all parties be represented at each poll. Most are retirees, as the law requires they be registered voters in the precinct, and the work day is from 6am to 9pm, which cuts out most working people. They are trained by local supervisors on the dos and don't of interaction with voters.
Campaign workers serve as poll watchers- but are prohibited from interacting with voters inside the polling place. They can only watch- and not speak. Also no campaign literature or signs or anything permitted within 50 feet of the polling place- so they are anonymous faces inside. They make sure voters are not influenced inside the polls, and report any problems they witness.