‘The wheels can’t turn’: Baltimore poll worker sounds alarm over staff shortages during primary election

A Baltimore election judge who worked Tuesday’s primary said a severe staff shortage at his polling site nearly crippled the operation and could have even more dire consequences in November should in-person turnout increase. The poll worker, Zach Fichtler, said his site at Wolfe Street Academy in Upper Fells Point was short at least six workers, leaving just four first-time election judges to manage several different roles. He wound up filling in as chief judge, he said, when his group realized no one else would show up to lead them.