By Cliff Radel
Enquirer staff writer

Kay Simon, 87 of Hyde Park, has been a pollworker for 50 years. (Sarah Conard/The Enquirer)

HYDE PARK - Kay Simon has a name for America's typical poll workers. She calls them "youngsters."

A recent survey by the taxpayer-funded U.S. Election Assistance Commission found that the average age for a poll worker is 72.

Simon is a bit older than that. She won't say exactly. But she will say this:

She has worked the polls, verifying signatures, handing out ballots, collecting ballots, giving away "I voted today" stickers and sometimes even counting votes, for 50 years.

She started "when Ike was president."

For the past three decades, she's been a fixture at Precinct J in the Hyde Park Fire House.

"I get to see all of my neighbors in one day," she said.

POLL WORKERS' GUIDE

Tristate counties could use a few more poll workers. "People move, lives change, folks drop out or get sick," said Pam Swafford, Hamilton County Board of Elections deputy director. The job is not a direct path to vast wealth. Election Day pay ranges from $72.10 to $100. "Short pay for long hours," said Jack Snodgrass, Campbell Co. clerk. "Election Day is routinely a 14-hour day." Poll workers must be at least 18 and registered to vote in the county where they plan to work, except for Dearborn County. For more information: Butler County: Employs 1,100 poll workers; average age - 66; base pay - $72.10 Election Day plus $25 training session. (513) 887-3700. Clermont County: 764 poll workers; average age - 70; base pay - $85 Election Day, $30 training. (513) 732-7275. Hamilton County: 4,052 poll workers; average age - 70; base pay - $85 Election Day, $20 training, $15 polling place set-up. (513) 632-7041 or (513) 632-7042. Warren County: 636 poll workers; average age - 55; base pay - $85 Election Day, $20 training. . (513) 695-1358. Boone County: 216 poll workers; average age - 70; base pay - $100 Election Day, $25 training. . (859) 334-2130. Campbell County: 325 poll workers; average age - 68; base pay - $90 Election Day, $15 training; (859) 292-3885. Kenton County: 468 poll workers; average age - 72; base pay - $100 Election Day, $10 training; . (859) 392-1620 or (859) 392-1643. Dearborn County: 225 poll workers; average age - 58; base pay - $75 Election Day, $10 training; Dearborn County also allows 16- and 17-year-olds to work some jobs. (812) 537-8867.

Woodrow Wilson was president when she was born in Salt Lick, Ky.

"But Ronald Reagan is my favorite president," she said Friday.

Simon sat in the break room of the office where she volunteers by answering the phone, "Hamilton County Republican Headquarters."

"I can't work anymore," said the retired health worker as she pointed to her walker. "I'm disabled. I have a bad back."

Simon wants everyone to know she doesn't work the polls for the money. When she started, she made $12.50 for a 12-hour day. Now, the base pay in Hamilton County is $85.

"I'm doing this for my brother, Van Jones," she said. "His B-17 was shot down during World War II over Germany in 1943. He was 19. And he never got a chance to vote."

But Van Jones fought and died for Americans' right to do just that. So, to honor her younger brother, Simon trades ballots for stickers.

"I'm the presiding judge at the precinct," she said. "So, I assign the jobs. I sit at the end of the table and put the ballots in the box. Then I give out the 'I voted today' stickers."

Women and men of Simon's generation staff polls across the nation and the Tristate.

"When we have training classes for poll workers, the place looks like a hospital ward with all of the walkers, canes and crutches," said Kenton County Clerk Bill Aylor. "But I would be lost without these older folks. They get the job done."

"Poll workers are patriots," said Dan Bare, director of Clermont County's Board of Elections.

The U.S. Election Assistance Commission's survey found that poll workers are in short supply. Two million poll workers are needed nationwide for November's presidential election. But only 1.5 million will be on hand, the commission reports.

Local election officials expect to fill every poll worker position. Barely. They have mailed response cards to their regulars to see if they plan to return.

"We're waiting for their replies," said Bob Mosketti, Butler County's Board of Elections director.

"But, we're always looking for new people. Being a poll worker is one of the most difficult jobs in my office. But it's one of the most rewarding."

Just ask Kay Simon.

E-mail cradel@enquirer.com