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.
