Become A Poll Worker

A caucasian woman and African American woman voting at the polling station.

poll worker positions & responsibilities

The responsibility of all poll workers is to see that all voters are allowed the freedom to cast their vote in secret without fear, intimidation or influence. Watch the video below to learn more about what it’s like to be a poll worker.

Watch The Video

Officer of elections

  • Office is in charge of and responsible for the conduct of all elections being held at the polling place
  • The Officer is subject to the direction of the county election commission in performing such duties
  • Pick up and return all voting supplies
  • Maintain order at the polling place
  • Assures that voting machines and privacy screens are arranged in such a way that the secrecy of the ballot is preserved and that no voter, on entering the polling place, comes near the voting machines or ballot boxes before the voter’s eligibility to vote has been determined
  • Place boundary signs 100 feet from all doors to the building, or at the sidewalk, or at the property line. Signs are available in the blue precinct bags
  • Ensure that the 100 foot boundary is being upheld throughout the day
  • Keep each voting compartment provided with proper supplies for marking ballots
  • Have persons who are waiting to vote stand in line so that no person who is waiting is standing nearer than ten feet (10’) to any voting machine or ballot box
  • Check the credentials of all poll watchers
  • Have poll watchers sign in and out each time they enter or leave the polling place
  • Ensure poll watchers are wearing a poll watcher badge with their name
  • Ensure the poll watcher is complying with all associated guidelines
  • Report the breakdown of any voting equipment to the voting machine technician by calling the Election Office
  • Ensure that the other election officials perform their official’s duties
  • Make sure that they or their designee stands at the end of the voting line at 7:00pm and advise anyone who arrives after 7:00pm that the polls closed at 7:00pm. And they are unable to vote
  • Open and close the Express Vote voting machines & DS200 tabulator by following the procedures
  • Make sure to print one (2) zero (0) tapes from the DS200 on election morning before the polls open
  • Make sure all the machines are closed in the order in which they were opened
  • Print three total tapes at the end of the night after the polls are closed
  • Ensure that the zero (0) tapes from opening the DS200 are kept as well as the closing tapes
  • Make sure the USB from the Express Vote machines are returned
  • Make sure the USB from the DS200 and closing tapes are placed in provided enveloped, sealed and signed by Officer and Machine Operators

judges

  • Assist the Office or Elections and other poll workers in setting up the Express Vote Voting Machines & DS200 tabulator, Checking Seal/Lock numbers, setting up registration tables, posting signs and organizing voting materials. Etc. (See precinct set up on page 48)
  • Verifies that the protective count and public counts on the DS200 machine is accurate and entered on the Machine Certification Form
  • Signs the Machine Certification Form, attesting to the accuracy of the information
  • Prevents any DS200 tabulator from being used that does not show a public count (0). Remember: Each machine must have a zero (0) count before it can be used.
  • Check machines for any tampering or malfunctions
  • mmediately report to the Election Commission Office, any tampering of voting machines and/or any malfunctioning machine(s)

registrar

setting up the polling precinct
  • Assist the Officer of Elections and Judges in organizing the precinct tables, sample ballots, signature lists, application for ballots, etc. (See Precinct Set-up page 48)
photo iD
  • The Registrar asks the voter for State or Federal Government issued photo ID. (See handout on acceptable & unacceptable forms of photo ID).
  • If voter objects to being photographed for religious reasons or they are indigent, have voter complete Affidavit of Identity form.
  • If voter presents without valid photo ID, see Provisional Voting.
signature list
  • The Registrar verifies that the voter is listed in the Signature List.  They will compare information from the photo ID to the information in the Signature List to ensure the address is the same. When comparing an address, compare the physical address vs. mailing address which could be a PO Box.  A PO Box is not the voter’s address.
  • Ensure the voter signs the signature list and it matches the signature on their photo ID.
  • Registrar will complete the required fields on the signature list & initial it. Registrar shall initial the application for ballot, mark the election(s) in which the voter has chosen to vote and record it on the signature list. The application for ballot number shall be recorded on the signature list.
application to vote
  • The registrar marks the correct information on the application for ballot and gives the application for ballot back to the voter so the election official can select the proper ballot (Primary, Democrat or Republican, General or City whichever election is being held).
ballot card activator (numbered)
  • The registrar will give each voter a card. They will remove the numbered portion and attach it to the application to vote.
provisional voters
  • The registrar shall require a voter who presents without legal identification to vote a provisional ballot and provide the voter with a letter informing them of the required timeframe in which to provide ID to the Election Commission Office so their ballot may be counted.
  • If a registrar cannot find a voter on the signature list, they should call the Election Commission Office for assistance. They will determine if the voter is eligible to vote a provisional ballot.
fail safe form
  • See Fail Safe Form for specific instructions based on scenario. Note: When a voter is unable to sign their name or mark their personal mark, the registrar may sign for them and place their initials beside the signature. See Fail Safe form for instructions.
voter leaving without casting ballot
  • If a voter leaves prior to casting their ballot, please void their application to vote, draw a line through their signature and initial it and note, voter left without voting. If the voter returns they will need to complete the process again.
closing the polls
  • The registrar shall group the unused applications for ballot and ensure that all are returned. They are numbered and each one needs to be used, voided or returned to the Election Office. Group the applications by voided and unused. Place them in the blue precinct bags.
  • Count the number of signatures & note it on the signature log. This total should match the number of applications to vote. Compare these counts to ensure accuracy.
  • Ensure all voting supplies are returned to their proper folder, bag, etc., placed in the blue precinct bag and returned.
  • Assist the Officer of Elections and judges in gathering all supplies, signs and materials so they may be returned to the Election Commission Office.

judges and/or machine operators

setting up the polling precinct
  • Assist the Office of Election and other poll workers in setting up the Express Vote Voting Machines & DS200 Tabulator, Checking Seal/Lock numbers, setting up registration tables, posting signs and organizing voting materials. Etc. (See precinct set up diagram)
  • Verifies that the protective count and public counts on the DS200 machine is accurate and entered on the Machine Certification Form.
  • Signs the Machine Certification Form, attesting to the accuracy of the information.
  • Prevents any machine from being used that does not show a public count (0). Remember: Each DS200 machine must have a zero (0) count before it can be used.
Voting Responsibilities
  • Receives the Application to Vote and Ballot card from the Voter.
  • Selects the correct ballot (Democratic or Republican Primary, County General, Municipal, Referendum, etc.
  • Files the Application to Vote
  • Explains the ballot and how to operate the Express Vote and DS200 tabulator machines to the voter as needed.
  • Inspect the voting machine after each vote to ensure the voter has cast their ballot, the machine screen is blank and there is no campaign literature left behind by the voter.
  • Assist the voter when requested to do so.  Please be sure that if assistance is given, it is witnessed by another judge or election official that represents a political party from your own.
closing the polling precinct
  • Remove seal and power off the Express Vote machines.  Place USB stick in envelope provided.
  • From the DS200, Print out 3 copies of closing/totals tapes and sign all.  Press the Close Polls button. 
  • Place one of the totals tape on the wall of the precinct for public inspection.
  • Remove any ballots in the auxiliary ballot bin, place in provided envelope and place in blue ballot bin.
  • Lock and seal blue ballot bin. 
  • Pull the USB from the DS200 and place in the provided envelope, seal and sign. 
  • Complete & sign Seal form.
  • Assist the Officer of Election and other Election Officials in gathering the precinct supplies. Remove signs, gather supplies, etc.)
  • You may be asked to accompany the Officer of Election to the Election Commission Office to return the blue precinct bag, ballot box and printer box. There must be two people from different political parties returning the supplies.

all poll workers

Duties are not limited to the above. Everyone works together to administer a fair and honest election.

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