Anyone else a poll worker on election days?

[rumrunnergirl]

It's a great way to make extra money for bills or your Disney fund. I saw a billboard looking for people to work election day back in January, and decided to check it out. I worked that election and I signed up to work tomorrow and in November (if I don't have a full-time job then).

In our area, you must be a registered voter, and you apply and take a simple 15 minute test (addition, subtraction, alphabetizing, etc.). A few weeks before election day, you get a training packet in the mail, and you attend a training session that lasts about 4 hours. On election day, you arrive at your precinct at 5:30 a.m. to set up. Polls are open 7 a.m. - 7 p.m., and then you close down. This can take 1 - 3 hours. A few weeks later you get a check in the mail.

This will be my second time as a tabulator, and it pays $175 including the training class. If you have to travel more than 25 miles to get to your assigned precinct, you make an extra $25.

 

[eliza61]

LOL. I did this a loooong time ago. I was actually what they called a "challenger", if a poll worker for some reason wanted to challenge a voter (most times is because the person had moved and was no longer able to vote at a specific location) they would call out "challenger" and then I had to let the person use a paper ballot.

I can't remember how much I got paid for it. I think it was some thing small, maybe 50 bucks for 7-8 hours.

 

[tajz90]

I did once and I only got paid $100.

I had fun though.

 

[LSchrow]

interesting - i always wondered about this!

so, are there shifts or do you work the entire time you stated? (5:30a for set-up, through 8-10p). that would be a REALLY long day.
i am really interested in finding the approximate hourly wage. an 8 hour shift plus the 4 hour course would be $14.58 hr. BUT training, and set-up thru 10pm end is only $8.54 hr.......that is a big difference.

and btw, what state are you in, as i assume different states have different rates?

thanks for any additional info

 

[rumrunnergirl]

I am in Florida. You work the entire day. There are breaks though - I think I got four. It is a long day, but it goes by quickly.

Other experienced poll workers told me that "closing up" depends a lot on what happened during the day. If, for example, the tabulator machine shuts down and we have to use the emergency bin, then the two tabulators get to stay late since we have to hand feed the ballots into a replacement machine. (The clerk and assistant clerk have to stay with everyone who stays late). But, the laptop specialist would not have to say late, nor the inspectors (who sign the people in). The clerk and assistant clerk get paid more, of course. In January we were finished by 8:30, and the other precinct sharing our room was finished before we were. The election in November is bigger, so it might take longer to close, but if nothing goes wrong it should be easy.

I know the hourly rate isn't huge, but I figure it's better than nothing, and it's all over in one day (besides training, which is mandatory before each election. Some of the classes are only 2 hours, it depends on the position). You are an independent contractor so no taxes are taken out. If you make more than $599 in one year, you get a 1099.

 

[bearloch]

I just signed up but was not sure about the 14 hrs cause of my type 2 diabetic not sure I can do that long.. may have to think on it a little...... though it was just be available all day for a shift of 8 hrs.. what happens if u have to go potty? I have o eat 6 small meals a day and usually have to potty after ( worlds smallest bladder here)..

 

[Muushka]

I was a poll observer, did it for free.

I didn't realize that these people were paid! Honestly, the woman I was observing did not know the alphabet.
It was so sad watching her try to find the names on the roster.

 

[rumrunnergirl]

I just signed up but was not sure about the 14 hrs cause of my type 2 diabetic not sure I can do that long.. may have to think on it a little...... though it was just be available all day for a shift of 8 hrs.. what happens if u have to go potty? I have o eat 6 small meals a day and usually have to potty after ( worlds smallest bladder here)..

I know I had at least four 20-minute breaks. You have to bring enough food/meds to last you all day. We didn't have an issue with snacking b/t breaks if no one was around, and if you have to use the restroom between breaks, you can ask the assistant clerk to cover for you.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Before I moved from Virginia (Fairfax County) to Florida I was an Election Officer for 14 years, the last 12 of them as the Chief Officer for my precinct.

There was a flat payment for the day, with different amounts for Officer of Election, Assistant Chief, and Chief.

The first time a person was going to work they had to attend a two hour meeting at the County Government Center for training. There was no further training requirement.

For the Chief and Assistant Chief there was a special two hour meeting which had to be done each year.

The Chief would also get mileage for two round trips between the Government Center and the precinct, as the Chief had to pick up certain supplies and materials and then return them after the election.

Every polling place had access to a kitchen with a refrigerator and soft drink machine. Poll hours were 7:00 to 7:00. We had to be at the polling place by 6:00am and remain in the building until everything was tabulated and all reports done and envelopes sealed.

Normally there would be enough people to cover all the needed stations, plus or or two "floaters" plus the Chief and Assistant. We were always able to provide breaks as needed for restrooms, eating, or allowing smokers to go outside.

And as Chief I had to go to the polling place the day before to make sure that the chairs and tables were properly arranged and the machines plugged in and the serial numbers matched those on my paperwork. I was also (unofficially) responsible for the coffee maker and donuts.

 

[mks18412]

I worked in the Election Office during actual elections, I loved it. The pay was great! Granted you only work acouple days out of the year.

 

[disney1990]

I have been an Election Judge (poll worker) in the State of Maryland for about 25 years. We have a training session that lasts about 2 hours and get paid $50.00. We working primary election day and election day from 5:30 am until about 9:00 pm. We get paid $200 for each of those days.

Our polling place is an elementary school. We all bring food to share for all meals -- think a big pot luck meal. Everything from donuts, bagels, to chill and cheese/crackers. We bring a small refrigerator for drinks and a cooler to have ice for drinks.

We don't have structured breaks. Anytime somebody needs a break, we just substitute who is working the desk. People take breaks all day as needed - it would never be a problem for a person that was diabetic.

Both DH and I work together in the same polling location. Seeing the people that we work with every couple years is like a mini reunion of sorts - catching up on everybody's lives.

 

[bearloch]

thanks I think I will give it a try!! i already have a training scheduled for nxt week!

 

[DawnM]

I will be at Disney election week!

 

[mrsklamc]

Thanks for the idea! I'd not heard of this being a paid position..found an application but it doesn't state how much you get paid in this area.

 

[lurkernj]

My son does this. He's 17 so he can only work half of the shift, so he splits the day with another boy who is 16. They each make $100, so it would be $200 for the whole day. My DS did the morning shift and worked from 5:15a(setup) to 1pm, and the other kid worked from 1p-8p (plus cleanup).

Training was about 2 hours and they weren't paid.

 

[Minnesota!]

I did this in my late teens - at that time (15 years ago) we got paid $15/hour.

I might have to look into this again...the $$$ would be nice!

 

[rumrunnergirl]

We're not allowed to do potlucks, because someone got sick from one during the January election. Our clerk brought in donuts and coffee, and we brought our own food.

Finished up last night by 7:40 p.m. and home by 8 p.m. - woo hoo!