About working at the Polls

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Working the polls is a wonderful service to the community. And you get paid as well. The pay ranges from $15 to $18 per hour. It does require working a long day, getting trained, and dealing with individuals who may at times be frustrated (or frustrating!).

In very rare cases, poll workers have even been fined by the State Elections Enforcement Commission if they do something wrong. All that being said, in 99.9% of the cases working the polls is a rewarding experience as you help to facilitate democracy.

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What you need to know

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Poll workers will be working a minimum of 15 consecutive hours at an election or primary. Poll workers are given meals but you have the option to bring your own. You will be given meal and rest breaks. (In some extraordinary cases, a Registrar may hire a “pair” of poll workers to split a position for a day).

Depending on the position, poll workers will need to come to a training class which lasts 1 hour. For more complex positions, training can be around 3 hours.  This training is required annually before each primary or election. Moderators (the Chief Polling Place Official) must also take a 4 to 5 hour class every four years which is given by a special Moderator Trainer. 

In most cases, you will be asked to start at one of the more basic positions (Official Identification Checker or Ballot Clerk). As you grow in experience you may be asked to take a position with more responsibility, such as Assistant Registrar or Moderator. A copy of the training instructions for each of the positions is now online. Please feel free to review them and give the registrars your thoughts on the position you would like to be assigned.