First, let me assure you that I've been assured there will be enough workers (maybe just barely enough) to staff the polls. But, finding them has been more difficult than sorting out the facts in political advertising.

The clerk's office is searching high and low for the poll workers. As I write this blog, Jefferson County still needs 600 people to staff the polls this election day. It's not for lack of looking. Employees of the clerk's office have gone to businesses, civic groups and neighborhood associations searching for poll workers. They've even taken out ads in newspapers. You might have seen them on WHAS11 News asking for more poll workers. The University of Louisville and company retirement groups have given the best response so far but that huge 600 still loooms with only three weeks to go.

Admittedly, working the polls is not the most enticing job. What you get is long on civics lessons and short on cash and comfort. You'll be paid one hundred five dollars to work from 5:15 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (There's also a 2-hour training session before the election.) Here's what you get. You'll walk away with a unique behind-the-scenes experience of our government in action. I'm told the folks who work the polls on election days see the value of their work and often come back year after year.

If you're interested you can get more information at the clerk's office. Just log on to www.jeffersoncountyclerk.org.

Here's something else to think about. Is there a better way? What about companies giving some employees the day to work at the polls? What about civics groups taking on poll worker projects. Doesn't it seem that somehow we could do better than begging? What are your ideas?