With the Missouri primary so close, Boone County is short on people to work the polls. The county needs more hands to pass out ballots, so they are holding training sessions. Boone County residents gathered in Columbia to learn about the election process.

A number of residents prepared at a training session Monday for the February 5th primary election. The Boone County clerk's office says the number of people helping is a little low, especially among Republican workers.

Election workers can gain valuable experience, as well as knowledge.

"I think the poll workers actually understand the process much better than the average citizen. It really is an education about how democracy works," said Richard Currall, a Boone County poll worker.

Each worker receives a base pay of $120 for the day.

"We're paid the same as if we were on the payroll. And I think that's quite a compliment to the importance of the poll workers," said Currall.

Workers must be able to work from around 4:30 AM to a little after 7:00 PM. Training sessions will run through February 1st, so there is still plenty of time to sign up.