NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee is launching a campaign to recruit poll workers for the Aug. 6 primary election during pandemic times.

Secretary of State Tre Hargett's office named the effort "Be a Patriot. Become a Poll Official."

Poll workers must be at least 16 years old and registered to vote if 18 or older. They cannot be a candidate or close relative of one and must be able to read and write in English.

Local government employees can be poll workers unless they work directly under someone on the ballot. State employees can be poll officials. Federal workers should consult their human resources department to ensure eligibility.

Poll workers are paid for training, early voting and Election Day work.

The campaign comes as three Tennessee lawsuits seek to expand to allow all voters to cast ballots by mail during the August and November elections due to the coronavirus. A court hearing is scheduled on the issue Wednesday.