Cities and Townships in Washtenaw County are recruiting individuals age 16 and older to serve their community as Poll Workers during the November 3, 2020 General Election.
More information is available at: https://www.washtenaw.org/pollworker
Becoming a Poll Worker – Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Poll Worker do?
Poll Workers are appointed by a City or Township Election Commission to facilitate voting on Election Day. They are paid for this work and for training.
Poll Workers may be assigned to serve in an in-person voting precinct or at an Absent Voter Ballot Counting Board.
Poll Workers are responsible for the following tasks:
- Verifying voter registration
- Issuing ballots
- Managing the Poll Book
- Ensuring voter privacy and ballot secrecy
- Problem solving and troubleshooting
- Managing ballot tabulators
- Ensuring the accuracy of critical data
- Welcoming voters and offering instructing on the voting process
What is the rate of pay?
Pay varies depending on the City or Township where the individual will serve. Typical rates of pay are between $13 and $17 per hour.
What training is involved?
Typically, Poll Workers receive one 3-hour training from either the County, City, or Township Clerk. County trainings will be provided remotely using Zoom prior to the November 3, 2020 General Election.
Additional training opportunities may be provided depending on the role the Poll Worker will play on Election Day and the City or Township where they will serve.
Poll Workers are provided with a comprehensive training manual to take with them to their assigned location on Election Day.
What health and safety precautions are being taken during the upcoming election?
Poll Workers will be provided with PPE, including masks, face shields, transparent “sneeze-guard” barriers, gloves, hand sanitizer, and sanitizing solution for all materials to be used during the election.
Poll Workers will be trained to follow all active Public Health and Executive orders in place at the time of the Election and to follow thorough polling location sanitization and social distancing protocols.
Who can serve as a Poll Worker?
A poll Worker must be a registered voter in the State of Michigan. Exception: individuals age 16-17 not yet registered to vote but who will be qualified to register to vote when they meet the minimum age may serve as poll workers.
A poll Worker cannot be a challenger, candidate, member of a candidate’s immediate family, or a member of the local Board of Canvassers. Anyone convicted of a felony or an election crime may not serve.
How do I become a Poll Worker?
Complete an online Poll Worker Interest Form at https://www.washtenaw.org/pollworker to be connected with a City or Township Clerk.
Or, you can submit a Poll Worker Application directly to the city or township where you choose to apply.
You can find your city or township Clerk through the Michigan Voter Information Center, Michigan.gov/Vote
Want more Information?
Email the Washtenaw County Clerk Elections Division at Elections@Washtenaw.org or call us at (734) 222-6730.
Visit us online at https://www.washtenaw.org/Elections for information on upcoming elections, candidates & proposals, election results, precinct & district maps, campaign finance disclosure & other information.
