The City of Kamloops has extended the application deadline for people hoping to work the upcoming municipal election to this Friday, July 8.

Chief Election Officer Amanda Passmore tells NL News they’re looking for about 20 to 30 more people to work the October 15 Election Day.

“Considering all the hiring issues other folks are having for permanent or long term positions, we’ve done quite well with interest,” she said.

“I think we were about 40 or 50 people short but we knew we would get a bunch of applications in right on the original deadline of June 30 and that is why we added the extra week. If we don’t get that additional 20 or 30, we’ll keep talking about it.”

Passmore says there are few more applications to go through, noting “the strong majority” of people will likely end up being hired.

“Worst case scenario would be if I’m in a real pinch, I would have to reduce polling places but that is the last thing that I want to do,” Passmore added.  “Accessibility and having polling places in close proximity to every Kamloopsians address is super important to us.”

The goal is to have roughly 200 election officials that are needed in place by the end of this month so they can all be trained ahead of Election Day.

Deputy Chief Election Officer Courtney Ranger told NL News last week that the City is looking for people who are organized and reliable.

“It is quite a long day from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. so we are looking for people who are confident working in that kind of environment helping people through their voting process,” Ranger told NL News.

“We’re looking for people who are able to sit or stand for quite a long time, and sometimes there can be a bit of volume with the lines of people, so somebody who can stay cool in that situation.”

People will be paid $275 for each full day they work, with Ranger noting presiding election officials and their assistants getting a little bit more.

You can find the application form and other details about the 2022 Municipal Election here.