Commissioners approve advertising for temporary elections assistants

RILEY COUNTY — The Riley County Commission on March 2 voted to allow the elections office to advertise for temporary election-assistance positions ahead of the upcoming statewide elections. The positions, elections manager Susan Buller told the commission, are needed to meet mandated statutory requirements and statewide security mandates.

"These positions are necessary for the elections office to meet mandated statutory requirements," Buller said, noting tasks will include electronic pollbooks, equipment testing, training and ballot fulfillment. Buller told commissioners there is no immediate fiscal impact because the positions were included in the county's 2026 budget.

Commissioner McKinley moved to authorize advertising for the elections assistance positions; Commissioner Ford seconded the motion and the board voted unanimously in favor.

The commission did not specify the number of positions to be advertised immediately, saying staff would ramp up hiring closer to the general election when workload increases. Buller said the office will start with a small number for the primary and add staff for the general election as needed.

The commission's approval permits the clerk's office to post the job descriptions provided and begin recruitment. No additional budget appropriation was requested at the meeting.

The next step for the elections office is to proceed with public advertising and begin the application review process; commissioners asked staff to keep them informed of hiring progress.