A Call to Action: Become a Poll Worker

Become a Poll Worker 

Elections are amazing. The are the opportunity for "We the People" to select our elected leaders, to show which candidates, parties, and policies we prefer, and to exercise the power of our votes. The outcomes of these elections will have profound consequences for our daily lives and futures.   

A well-functioning democracy is dependent upon fair and open elections and on the dedicated workers, everyday citizens like you, who give their time and talent to staffing the polling places on election day.  You can be a direct part of this great civic endeavor by becoming a poll worker (also known as an elections inspector). 

What kinds of tasks will you perform as a Poll Worker/Elections Inspector?

• Prepare the polling place for voting
• Set up the voting equipment
• Process the voters
• Demonstrate voting procedures to the voters
• Assist voter if requested
• Close the polling place
• Canvass and report the results

When would I need to Work? 

Election Day in November (November 3), Early Voting (October 24-November 1), and you have to  attend a training sessions.The hours of an Election Inspector are 5:30 a.m. until approximately 9:30 p.m., with 1-hour breaks for both lunch and dinner.

Will I be Paid?

Yes, you are compensated for your time. You are required to provide your own transportation to the election district to which you are assigned (you can specify in the application where you are willing to work). The rate of compensation varies by county. Erie County pays $190 for the day for inspectors, and $25 for the training. 

 Am I Qualified?

To be a poll worker in New York you must be:

• a registered voter 
• 18 years of age (16-17 year-olds may serve an assistant under supervision)  
• a resident of the county for at least 30 days
• be able to attend an annual training class, receive a passing grade on the evaluation test and  be administered the Oath for Appointive Election Officer
• able to speak, read and write the English language
• able to provide your own transportation to your assigned polling site 

You cannot be an elected official or candidate in the district where you work. You also cannot be the spouse, parent or child of a candidate who is running for office in the district where you work.

Does my Party Affiliation matter? 

The application does require you to list your party registration. This is because certain duties require that poll workers of opposing parties be paired together to ensure there is no partisan bias or interference.  

How do I sign up? 

It's easy, just fill out an application. 

For Erie County residents, you can fill out an Erie County Elections Inspector Application

There is a statewide application to be a poll worker for residents and a separate application to serve as a New York City elections inspector.. 

If you are looking for information beyond New York, you can find through the Elections Assistance Commission become a poll worker information portal.