| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | For More Information Contact | |
| February 22, 2010 | (941) 861-8606 | |
| Media Alert | ||
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SOE encourages local institutions to apply for college program grants |
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SARASOTA, FL - Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Kathy Dent is urging local Institutions of higher education and nonprofit organizations to apply for available grant funds to be used to recruit and train college students to work at the polls in the 2010 primary and general elections, scheduled for August 24 and November 2, respectively. The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) has announced the availability of $750,000 in grant money for three-year awards to recruit, train and support college students to assist in the administration of elections in the 2010 election cycle. The grants are authorized by the Help America Vote Act of 2002. Ms. Dent, who has had an active student poll worker recruitment program in Sarasota County since 2002 said engaging students in the electoral process “is an invaluable civics lesson but also brings important strengths to the polling process. “Students tend to be comfortable with computers and other new technologies that are being used more and more at the polls. They have the energy and enthusiasm to get through a 14-hour day, and interact well with our more experienced poll workers,” she said. To be eligible for grant funds, a college, university or organization must work in partnership with state and local election officials. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 31, 2010. More information about the EAC grant and eligibility requirements is available at www.eac.gov/program-areas/grants For information about the Sarasota County student poll worker program, please visit our Web site at www.sarasotavotes.com -end- |
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