Election Official (Poll Worker) Information :: VBgov.com

Election Official (Poll Worker) Information

Election Worker General Information

Voter Registration & Elections are looking for dedicated men and women to serve as Election Officials on Election Day. We invite you to help your family, friends and neighbors and serve our City by joining this team of Election Officials. It is an enjoyable and rewarding way to be part of our democratic process.

A number of Election Officials are appointed for each of the city's 100 voting precincts, with one designated as Chief Officer and Assistant Chief Officer. Election Officials are given a great deal of responsibility and trust in the election process. Officials work together to produce accurate election results, provide for equal access to voting and the necessary assistance to individual voters who need their help.

The polls open on Election Day at 6:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m. Whenever possible, you will be placed in your "home" precinct. However, if there are no vacancies, you will be placed at a nearby precinct not more than 10 miles from your registered address. There is a possibility that we might ask you to change polling locations prior to Election Day in order to meet staffing requirements.

2018 Election Dates

June 11, 2019 - Party Primary Elections (tentative)

November 5, 2019 - General and Special Elections

Compensation & Training

Compensation for working as an Election Official on Election Day is $140.00. As a general requirement before working, you will attend and complete a 3-hour training workshop designed for Election Officials. Compensation for training is an additional $20.00. Processing checks take up to six weeks. Please note that if you attend training and then for some reason cannot work on Election Day, we cannot pay you for the training session. In addition, we encourage you to attend an informal meeting which is scheduled by your Chief Officer, to organize the voting room prior to Election Day.

Requirements

A United States Citizen
Resident and qualified voter of the Commonwealth of Virginia
18 years or older
You are eligible to serve as an Election Official if you are a registered voter of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
You cannot hold elected office or be the employee of an elected official.
Must attend the November Election training session.
Be able to speak, read and write English.
You must choose a political party so each precinct can be staffed appropriately.
Patience when interacting with a variety of people during a long day.
Must be willing to perform all the duties assigned.

Essential Qualifications

You must not engage in any political conversation with voters and/or fellow Election Officials. Communicate no bias or opinions on the election or candidates.
You will need working knowledge of computers so that you can operate the Electronic Pollbooks to check in voters.
Must be able to follow directions, understand and operate the voting equipment once trained.
Cannot conduct personal business within the polling location.
You must be available to work the entire Election Day. For security reasons, no exceptions are permitted. Arrive at the polling location at 5:00 a.m. and remain there until the election results have been reported, all paperwork has been completed and the polling place is returned to its original order (generally around 9:00 p.m.; for Presidential Election - 11:00 p.m.).
Election Officials work for the Electoral Board and follow the guidelines and standards that lead to exceptional customer service for our citizens in helping them to be a successful voter on Election Day.
Election Officials must maintain a “good reputation” with both coworkers and voters in the precinct. Be courteous, professional and helpful to our voters.
Must be willing to do what is necessary to maintain and secure voting environment.
Wear appropriate attire (no blue jeans, sweat clothes, t-shirts, or shorts).

Job Duties

Report to your assigned polling location no later than 5:00 a.m. and be prepared to stay until the polls are closed and all closing procedures are completed
Share the responsibility of the operations of the polling location

Assist in the setup and breakdown of tables, signage and voting equipment
Greet voters, instruct voters on voting machine use through demonstrations, assist at poll book and card encoder and verify voter information
Assist on the completion of necessary election paperwork
Oversee the voting process to ensure it is conducted in a manner which maintains the integrity and security of the election

Election Official Online Application

We appreciate your interest in becoming an election official. Click here and choose apply to submit your application online.

If interested in becoming an Election Official fill out the Notice of Appointment Packet and mail it to P.O. Box 6247, Virginia Beach, VA 23456 or fax it to (757) 385-5632 or email it to voter@vbgov.com.