Overall, the allocation of pay is largely at the discretion of county commissioners. Poll workers who attend certain training events can be eligible for additional compensation. Higher pay is typically reserved for elected positions. They include videos and guides on checking in voters, inspecting voter identification, and accepting provisional ballots - those filled out by people whose eligibility cannot be immediately verified.Īccording to the Election Code, the statutory minimum pay for poll workers is $75 a day, with a maximum payment of $200. Supplementary training courses for poll workers can be found online. Training materials for poll workers in Lancaster and York Counties direct poll workers to call local law enforcement for gun threats, bomb threats, and other emergency situations such as fires or loss of power. “The sheriff’s office number is right there.” “If somebody comes in, it’s all in their book,” she said. Patti Hess, the director of elections in Fulton County, said there are constables at polling places in her county to ensure safety, and instructions for emergency situations are provided in a guidebook poll workers have on hand. According to the Department of State, every county addresses what to do in the event of general threats and disruptive behavior in the polling place. Some counties use optical scanners to process ballots, while others use different kinds of voting machines.Ĭounties also handle training for safety threats differently. People who want to be poll workers must attend a mandatory training session in-person or online before Election Day.Įach county runs its own training, as voting systems vary. Poll workers are not partisan poll watchers, who are appointed by candidates or political parties and can challenge the eligibility of a voter ( though they cannot directly question or speak to them). Regular poll workers, or clerks, help check in voters, manage lines, and guide voters through each step of the process. They oversee the voting devices used at the polls. Other specialized positions - such as the machine operator- support the local election board and are filled by appointment. All three positions help manage the polling place, keep track of the number of voters, and ensure that the results are received by the county election office. Each polling place has a local election board comprised of a judge of elections, a majority inspector, and a minority inspector. There are a few specialized poll worker positions that are elected. They record the names of voters, check them in, and assist with election equipment. Poll workers assist with the setup, opening, and closing of a polling place. Poll workers must be available for the entirety of Election Day, before polling places open at 7 a.m. Similarly, people whose names are on the ballot are not permitted to serve as poll workers, except for candidates for the local election board including judges of elections. ![]() Second, poll workers cannot be current government employees or officials, except district judges, notary publics, or members of the Pennsylvania National Guard. ![]() High school students who are 17 years old may be eligible to volunteer if they meet specific requirements outlined by their county’s election office. First, you must be a registered voter and you can serve only in the county in which you live. There are only a few requirements to become a poll worker.
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