That's why the U.S. Election Assistance Commission awarded 15 grants nationwide, worth $25,000 each, to recruit college poll workers, including one to Scripps Howard Center for Civic Engagement at Northern Kentucky University.

The result: 225 students from NKU have signed up to be poll workers in Boone, Campbell, Gallatin, Grant and Kenton counties in Kentucky, and Clermont and Hamilton counties in Ohio.

"Many people were surprised at the number of people who signed up," said Joan Ferrante, NKU sociology professor and interim director of Scripps. "It does pay, but it's definitely not an easy day."

The counties pay workers between $60 and $140 for their time, a minimal amount for the time they have to put in. Workers have to go through a training class, help set up Monday night before the election, and be at the polls on Election Day from about 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m."I do know there has been a lot of chatter this year that we haven't had in past elections," said Geneva Ball, a junior at NKU from Burlington who will be working in her home county. "This (grant) has encouraged me to get out there and be involved."

To recruit college students, five graphic arts students at NKU were commissioned to design banners to encourage people to work the polls. The banners are hanging in the school's University Center. Money from the grant will also be used to transport workers and feed them on Election Day.

E-mail wcroyle@enquirer.com