Our election workers are active voters who serve their community with pride. They are trained to provide quality customer service and to resolve any challenges that may arise. All election workers must meet basic requirements. If you would like to join our team, please read through the following information carefully.
Requirements
To be an election worker, one must:
- be a registered voter of Washington County (or be at least 16 years of age and pre-registered to vote).
- read, write and speak English.
- be able to sit or stand for long periods.
- be able to arrive and start work at 6:00 a.m. on election day and work until after the polls close at 7 p.m. (this could be a 14+ hour day).
- be able to lift up to 40 pounds with another poll worker.
- have an email address and access to a computer and the internet.
- successfully complete all assigned in-person and online training and assessments prior to each election.
- remain nonpartisan and non-political while at the polls.
- refrain from any comments or discussion concerning a voter, a voter’s party preference, candidates and issues while working at the polls.
- dress in business casual attire.
- treat everyone with dignity and respect.
- understand that you may not be assigned to work each election or assigned to the same precinct or position for each election.
Training
Election workers are required by law to complete training prior to each election.
The training period for the August 20, 2024, Primary Election is July 29,30,31. For more information, call 850.638.6230.
Election workers are paid a total of $175 to $225 per election (based on position) for Election Day. An election worker must attend training and work at the poll to receive compensation. Pay for training is $50 for clerks and inspectors and $25 for deputies. Early Voting is $12 per hour.
Positions
All election workers must complete the required training and work at their assigned polling places on election day from 6:00 a.m. until the last voter has voted, closing procedures have been completed, and they are dismissed by the clerk. Some election workers will also help set up their assigned polling places the day before the election.
The clerk oversees the polling place and staff. He/she is responsible for ensuring election law is followed at the precinct on election day. The clerk opens and closes the polls and is responsible for delivering election supplies to the precinct and returning them to the election's office at the end of election day. The clerk and assistant clerk communicate with the elections office to resolve voter issues.
The assistant clerk assists the clerk, assumes responsibility for the polling place if the clerk is unavailable, helps to oversee the polling room operation, performs voting system opening and closing procedures with the clerk, and may also act as an inspector to assist voters.
The inspector sets up the electronic poll books and registration table, processes voters, issues ballots, instructs the voter on how to cast the ballot and ensures that the ballot is accepted by the ballot scanner/tabulator.
The deputy maintains order outside the polling place and, with the clerk, designates and ensures compliance with the no solicitation zone, ensures that the polling room is accessible to all voters and issues “I Voted” stickers.
How to Apply
The online application process will take 15-20 minutes. Just complete the application below and then watch your email for communication from our office. Note: To complete the application process, you will need to present your signed Social Security card and Florida Driver license and complete an I-9 Form at our main office in Chipley. Our staff will help you to complete the I-9 Form and will make copies of these documents for your election worker file. Once your file is complete, you will receive a welcome email from us. To print and complete Section 1 of the I-9 Form prior to arriving at our office, click here.
Download and complete Election Worker Availability Notice
Special Note to Retirees:
Under Florida Retirement System, you must allow a full year's lapse prior to working as an Election Worker.