How to become a poll worker

Poll workers are the people who make in-person voting run: they set up polling places, check in voters, answer questions, and help close out the site at the end of the day. Elections depend on large numbers of temporary workers recruited from the community, and local election offices regularly need new applicants. This guide explains what the job involves and how to apply, with links to official sources since requirements vary by state and locality.

What poll workers do

Duties vary by jurisdiction and role, but commonly include:

• Setting up and closing the polling place, including equipment, signage, and supplies
• Checking in voters against the registration list and following state procedures for identification or verification
• Issuing ballots or activating ballot-marking devices
• Answering procedural questions and directing voters through the process
• Assisting voters who need help, consistent with state rules and accessibility requirements
• Completing paperwork and reconciliation at the end of the day, such as accounting for ballots and securing materials

Some jurisdictions also have specialized roles — for example, workers focused on equipment, language assistance, or supervising a site.

Who can serve

Eligibility is set by each state, and details differ. Common patterns include:

• Being a registered voter in the state or county, though many states have exceptions
• Student poll worker programs that allow eligible high school students below voting age to serve, subject to state-specific age, permission, and academic requirements
• Residency or precinct requirements that vary by jurisdiction
• Rules about political party balance — some jurisdictions assign workers so that multiple parties are represented at each site

Some jurisdictions also welcome workers with specific language skills to assist voters, reflecting federal and state language access requirements.

Because these rules vary, check your state and county's actual requirements through your local election office, which you can find at usa.gov/election-office. The U.S. Election Assistance Commission also maintains poll worker resources at eac.gov.

Compensation and time commitment

Most jurisdictions pay poll workers a stipend for training and for each day worked; amounts are set locally and vary widely. Election Day shifts are typically long — polling places open early and close late, and workers often stay through setup and closing. Some jurisdictions offer split shifts or early-voting shifts with different schedules. Your local election office can tell you the pay, hours, and scheduling options in your area.

Training

Poll workers are trained before serving. Training requirements are set by state and local rules and commonly cover:

• Check-in procedures and the voter list
• The jurisdiction's voting equipment
• State ID and verification rules
• Provisional ballots and other exception procedures
• Accessibility and voter assistance
• Security and chain-of-custody procedures for ballots and equipment

Training may be in person, online, or both, and is usually compensated. Completing it is generally mandatory before you can be assigned to a site.

How to apply

1. Find your local election office. Poll worker hiring is handled locally. Look up your office at usa.gov/election-office.
2. Check the requirements and application. Many counties have an online poll worker application; others take applications by phone, mail, or in person. General guidance is available at usa.gov/voting and through the EAC at eac.gov.
3. Apply early. Recruitment often starts months before an election, and training schedules fill up.
4. Complete training and confirm your assignment. You'll typically be assigned to a specific site and role, which may not be your own precinct depending on local needs.

Students interested in serving should ask their local election office about student poll worker programs; the EAC's Help America Vote College Program materials at eac.gov/help_america_vote_college_program describe efforts to involve students in election service.

Poll workers vs. election observers

Poll workers are temporary election officials who administer the process under the authority of the election office. Election observers — who watch proceedings on behalf of parties, campaigns, or other groups under state rules — are a separate role with different requirements. If you're interested in observing rather than working, your state's election website (reachable via vote.gov) explains its observer rules.

Why offices recruit continuously

Jurisdictions need thousands of workers for each election, and many longtime workers retire from service each cycle. Offices particularly seek applicants comfortable with technology and applicants with language skills. Serving is also one of the most direct ways to see election procedures — check-in, ballot handling, reconciliation, and security steps — from the inside.

Verify with official sources

Poll worker eligibility, pay, training, and application procedures vary by state and county and can change between elections. Confirm the details with your state or local election office — find yours at usa.gov/election-office, and use vote.gov to reach your state's official election website.