Why Volunteer as a Poll Worker?
- Take a break from work or school to learn how elections are run and help voters exercise their right to vote.
- Use your technical skills to help voters operate new voting machines.
- Use your language skills to help voters whose first language is not English.
- Encourage and inspire your peers to vote.
- Ensure that elections are fair and accurate.
- Protect voters’ rights by ensuring that everyone who wants to vote can and that every ballot is counted.
- Most cities and towns pay poll workers.
Who can volunteer?
- All registered voters may apply to be poll workers in any city or town. Also, cities and towns may hire up to two 16- and 17-year olds as poll workers for each polling place.
- No previous training or knowledge is required. Many municipalities offer training sessions.
- Some precincts need poll workers who can also serve as translators.
What are my responsibilities?
- Attend training sessions, when offered, with local election officials before Election Day. Then show up for volunteer work!
- Shifts vary among communities. Some cities and towns require that poll workers work the entire time polls are open; others have split shifts.
- Prepare the precinct by setting up voting equipment and organizing materials.
- Provide voters with appropriate ballots.
- Assist voters in completing their ballots if requested.
- Serve as a translator, working before Election Day at the election office or at the polls on Election Day.
- Direct voters to their correct polling place if they are at the wrong precinct.
- Close the precinct and prepare election materials and reports as necessary.
- In many communities poll workers get paid.
How do I sign up?
- Each city and town has a different process for recruiting poll workers. Call your city or town clerk to find out how to become a poll worker in your community, you can find their contact information here.