Virtual Training for Election Workers

2022 NACo Achievement Award Winner

Los Angeles County, Calif., CA

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About the Program

Category: Personnel Management, Employment and Training (Best in Category)

Year: 2022

In November 2020, the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk (RR/CC) faced the challenge of training thousands of election workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 distancing guidelines limited the capacity of each in-person training session, making it extremely difficult to train the full number of needed Election Workers using traditional in-person training. To address this challenge, the RR/CC developed an optional virtual training program to supplement in-person training. By covering some of the important material virtually, it allowed for shorter in-person training sessions, which in turn left more time to schedule additional sessions at each location. Election Workers quickly embraced the new option of attending virtual training and participated even though it was not a requirement. The RR/CC offered 8 initial optional training sessions and saw over 6,700 workers attend. After the success of the initial implementation, virtual training was added as a regular part of the overall training plan for elections going forward and has been used to replace in-person training for some special elections.