Who is a Poll Worker?
A poll worker is a community-minded person just like you who wishes to be part of the election process. Poll workers perform a valuable community service by assisting fellow voters at the precinct polling sites on election day. Among their duties are ensuring voters are at the correct precinct, verifying voter registration, issuing ballots, giving voting procedure instructions, operating voting equipment, and maintaining an orderly flow at the polling place. They are a critical part of the election process and an important ingredient to ensure the conduct of elections is accurate and fair.
POLLWORKER POSITIONS:
CLERK I, II, III
The Clerk manages the overall tasks, activities, and poll workers in the polling place; picks up election day materials from the Elections’ Office prior to election day; coordinates with election office staff on poll workers needed, training and confirming information with workers. The Clerk coordinates with their polling place workers often concerning election day duties, training dates and any other tasks referred to them by the Elections’ Office. The Clerk returns specified materials to the Elections’ Office on election night. Pay rates are: Clerk I - $130, Clerk II - $150, Clerk III - $170 per election, plus mileage to pick up and return election supplies.
ASSISTANT CLERK
The Assistant Clerk assists the Clerk and shares his/her duties as needed and may substitute for the Clerk if the need arises. The Assistant Clerk will also assist other poll workers during the day. Pay rate is $125 per election. If for some reason the Clerk cannot perform his/her duties, and the Assistant must take over full Clerk responsibilities, the Assistant will be paid at the Clerk’s rate of pay.
VOTING EQUIPMENT INSPECTOR
This Inspector is responsible for the election equipment and its proper operation during voting. The Inspector will assist other poll workers during the day. Pay rate is $115 per election.
OTHER INSPECTORS
Inspectors are responsible for properly processing voters, issuing ballots, setting up and breaking down the voting booths, and the reorganizing of the precinct building after the polls close. The Inspectors will assist other poll workers during the day. Pay rate is $115 per election.
POLL DEPUTY
Poll Deputies are responsible for maintaining order at the polling place, assisting voters, setting up and breaking down the voting booths, and the reorganizing of the precinct building after the polls close. The Poll Deputy will also assist other poll workers during the day. Pay rate is $115 per election.
SUBSTITUTE
A substitute is a trained poll worker who is available to fill in for someone who is unable to work on election day. Substitutes are on stand-by at home from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on election day.
POLL WORKERS MUST:
- Be a registered voter in Putnam County.
- Furnish their own transportation to and from the polls.
- Be able to lift and assemble secrecy booths, optical scan and touch screen voting equipment (approximately 26 lbs).
- Have good eyesight and hearing and be able to read and write English legibly.
- Be able to stand for long periods of time, stoop, bend and have manual/physical dexterity.
- Commit to work from 6:00 a.m. to approximately 8:30 p.m. on election day.
- Not leave the polling place during voting hours.
Poll Workers who are related will not be permitted to work in the same polling location.
Poll Workers will actually be employed through an outside staffing agency, not by the Elections’ Office.
Compensation is to be paid by the outside staffing agency.