Voting is the backbone of our democracy. Voting depends on having dedicated election workers to serve every voter and ensure that ballots are counted accurately. Being an election worker lets you patriotically serve your community in a critical position of trust. Although your service may only be for a few days each election year, your work will have a lasting impact throughout your community for years to come.
We are always looking for new election workers to join the team and serve the Leon County community. Read below for more information about what it means to serve as an election worker and how you can sign-up.
Note: If you are looking for information about full-time employment with the Elections Office, please visit our Employment Opportunities page.
Who Are Election Workers?
Election workers (also known as poll workers) are members of the local community who work at voting sites on Election Day, during Early Voting, or at our office processing Vote-by-Mail ballots. They are short-term paid employees of the Elections Office. Leon County relies on around one thousand election workers each election to staff voting sites, help voters, and run the election.
Depending on your position, your duties may include greeting voters, verifying voter ID information, handing out ballots, setting up equipment, using a computer, and handling paperwork. You will need to dress and act in a non-partisan manner and treat all voters with dignity and respect.
Service Requirements
To serve as an election worker you must meet these requirements:
- Citizen of the United States
- Registered (or pre-registered) voter in Leon County
- Speak, read, and write English
- Able to stand, bend, stoop, and lift at least 25 pounds
- Comfortable working with computers
- Have reliable transportation to and from your work site
- Work with the public in a courteous, patient, and non-partisan manner
You cannot serve as an election worker if you are a candidate on the ballot.
If you have a disability that prevents you from fulfilling one or more of these requirements, please contact us and we will make every attempt to accommodate you.
Like all government offices, we are an E-Verify employer. All employees, including temporary election workers, must complete an I-9 form and supply documentation upon hire to confirm that they may legally work in the U.S.
Paid Work
We pay election workers for their service. Compensation is based on the position you work and includes payment for training. We will mail you a check shortly after Election Day.
Positions
A variety of positions are available for election workers, for both Election Day and Early Voting. A small number of positions are more specialized.
Visit the Election Worker Roles page for further information of each of these positions.
- Election Day and Early Voting Positions:
- Privacy Booth Inspector/Greeter
- Early Voting Only
- Secure Ballot Intake Station/Drop Box Monitor
- Elections Office Positions
- Vote-by-Mail Assistance
- Phone Bank Assistance
Application
If you are interested in serving as an Election Worker, please complete the election worker application.
Once you complete the application, we will review it and contact you in several days.
We encourage you to apply now, even if the next election is many months away.
Training
Before each election, election workers complete a training class so they know how to perform their responsibilities. The class takes between three and four hours. We also have optional labs so workers can practice and be comfortable in their role.
We offer both in-person and virtual training options at a variety of dates and times, including weekends and evenings. In-person training takes place at the Elections Office.
Once the training schedule is set for an election, you can view it on our Election Worker Resources webpage.
Work Schedules
In Leon County, regularly scheduled elections take place in every even-numbered year.
In presidential election cycles, there are three elections - in March, August, and November.
In non-presidential election cycles, there are only two elections - in August and November. Most workers serve every election in a cycle, but you can choose to work only one of them if that fits your needs.
Your specific schedule will vary depending on your position.
Election Day Work
Election Day is a single 14-hour workday, from around 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. In addition to working on Election Day, you will need to take at least one training class within two months of Election Day.
You can work as an Election Day worker and an Early Voting worker in the same election, as the schedules do not overlap.
Early Voting Work
Early Voting is a multi-day assignment. The exact number of days depends on the election.
- Presidential Preference Primary: Usually eight days (Starting the Saturday 10 days before Election Day, and ending on the Sunday before Election Day)
- Primary Election: Usually eight days (Starting the Saturday 10 days before Election Day, and ending on the Sunday before Election Day)
- General Election: Usually 14 days (Starting the Monday two weeks before Election Day, and ending on the Sunday before Election Day)
Each day of work at an Early Voting site normally starts at 9 a.m. and ends at 6:30 p.m. One site has a different schedule, with work starting at 7 a.m. and ending at 4:30 p.m.
In addition to working on Election Day, you will need to attend training within one month before the start of Early Voting.
You can work as an Election Day worker and an Early Voting worker in the same election, as the schedules do not overlap.
Election Office Positions
The various election office positions are multi-day assignments. The exact number of days depends on the election and the specific work in question. Usually, the assignment will run from three weeks before Election Day to the day after Election Day.
Since the schedules overlap, you cannot work this assignment as well as Early Voting or Election Day.