City of Kassel recruits election workers - with support from university and KHS

To attract volunteers, students Kathrin Maurer, Elisa Hempel and Valentina Voß from the Visual Communication department at the Kassel University of Art and Design have designed posters that have been on display on many advertising pillars in the city since November 20. This was made possible by the company Ströer, which made its advertising space available to the city of Kassel free of charge. "We are very happy about the great support of the art academy as well as the company Ströer", Mayor Ilona Friedrich thanks the cooperation partners.

Because the general municipal elections and foreigners' council elections will be very special. "Especially in order to organize the smooth running of elections in times of the Corona pandemic, the city of Kassel needs about 400 election workers more than usual," explains Mayor Friedrich. "We need the energetic help of a total of up to 2,200 people who are willing to invest a Sunday for democracy."

Finding enough election workers is a real challenge this time, Friedrich elaborates. Due to the Corona pandemic, it is expected that significantly more eligible voters will cast their votes by absentee ballot. For the total of 91 instead of the usual 50 absentee voting districts, this leads to a higher effort in counting. "Unfortunately, we will not be able to rely on all of the election workers who have reliably supported us for a long time in the local elections," says Friedrich. About 500 of these volunteers, some of whom have been helping with elections for decades, are over 60 years old. For understandable reasons, not all of them are likely to choose to work in the elections under the current circumstances. "Now it is even more important that many young people declare their willingness to help with the local elections," says Friedrich. Of course, the election authority will take necessary precautions to ensure the greatest possible protection in polling stations through distance and hygiene measures.

Also because of the special situation, the mayor, with the support of the university administration, wrote to all students at the University of Kassel last week to ask for their help. "The first responses are promising and positive, but we are happy about every other helping hand," says Friedrich.

More information:https://kassel.de/pressemitteilungen/2020/november/wahlhelferinnen-und-wahlhelfer.php

All citizens can register as election helpers online at www.kassel.de/wahlhelfer, by e-mail to wahlen[at]kassel[dot]de or by phone via 0561/787-8510.
& nbsp;