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Poll Worker Requirements and Positions

The Supervisor of Elections relies on hundreds of well-trained, civic-minded individuals to be poll workers for each election. Please review this material and decide if you are interested in becoming a poll worker.

All poll workers must:

  • Be a registered voter in Hillsborough County.
  • Be able to read, write and speak English.
  • Be able to work a 14-hour day and have patience and the special ability to deal courteously with the public and coworkers.
  • Be able to lift 15 to 30 pounds.
  • Have an email address and access to a computer and internet.
  • Have transportation to the polling place and to training classes. (Will arrive and return home in the non-daylight hours for some elections.)
  • Complete all training prior to each election.
  • Remain nonpartisan while working at the polls.
  • Refrain from any comments or discussion concerning a voter, a voter’s party preference, a candidate or issue while working at the polls.
  • Abide by NO SMOKING policy in and around polling places on Election Day.
  • Be reliable and committed to the voting process.
  • Pass a post-training assessment to demonstrate working knowledge of laws and procedures relating to voter registration, voting system operation, balloting, polling place procedures, problem-solving, and conflict-resolution.
  • TREAT EVERYONE with Dignity and Respect AT ALL TIMES.

For more information, call the Poll Worker Department at (813) 744-5855 or email pollworker@hcsoe.org.  


 

Poll Worker Job Descriptions Overview

There are five (5) types of poll worker positions.  Below is a brief description of each position.  Be sure to read the full job descriptions carefully and consider the major responsibilities of each before considering and applying for a position.  NOTE: First time poll workers begin in the Inspector or Deputy position and usually work a full election cycle in the beginning position before being considered for another position.


 

Clerk: In charge of the overall management of the tasks, activities, and Poll Workers in the polling place. The Clerk must ensure that order is maintained, policies and procedures are followed, and the Election Team performs its duties correctly on Election Day.

Assistant Clerk: Assists the Clerk and is ready and available to serve as Clerk in the event the Clerk is unable to perform his/her duties. Uses laptop, or communicates with the SOE Office, to determine voters’ eligibility and/or to direct voters to their correct precinct.

Inspector (Check-In, Floor and Exit):

Check-In: Determines eligibility of voters. Issues each voter his/her ballot inside a privacy folder. Instructs voters to mark their ballot inside a privacy booth and to deposit the completed ballot into the OSX Unit.

Floor: Ensures an orderly flow of voters inside the polling room. Discards any paraphernalia left by voters inside the Privacy Booths or in the polling room.

Exit: Collects all privacy folders from voters who have completed voting. Hands out "I Voted" stickers and provides Comment Cards to voters.

Deputy: Maintains order outside the polling place. Ensures compliance with the no solicitation zone. Ensures accessibility into the polling room for all voters.

Machine Clerk: Responsible for the security of the voting equipment. Assists voters with questions or issues pertaining to the voting equipment. Tends to any jams or issues that may occur relating to the voting equipment.

 

CLERK ($220)

Description

Attributes

Skills /Requirements

Responsibilities

Supervises the election process in accordance with Florida Election Law;

Responsible for overall management of the polling place on Election Day;

Oversees tasks, activities and people within and outside of polling place;

Oversees voting process, ensures order is always maintained by resolving conflicts and controlling crowds;

Confirms poll worker staffing as directed by the SOE. Previous experience as a poll worker is suggested.

Personable and friendly; Sensitivity to persons with special needs;

Positive, "can do" attitude;

Ability to communicate effectively with co-workers and voters;

Management skills; Conflict resolution skills;

Flexibility;

Ability to function as a team leader

Ability to manage, direct and supervise poll workers.

Have transportation;

Work a minimum of 14 hours on Election Day. Attend 4 to 8 hours of pre-election training;

Pick up election supplies before the election. Visit polling place prior to election day;

Return election supplies to SOE on election night;

Be able to lift approximately 15 lbs;

Be able to stand on feet for long periods during the day.

Respond promptly to phone calls and requested follow-up as directed by SOE;

Become familiar with information listed on polling place agreement;

Confirm all information is correct regarding contact personnel;

Visit polling location prior to Election Day and meet personnel listed on agreement at polling place;

Confirm use of phone and access to polling room on election morning with personnel;

Read Polling Place Procedures Manual provided to you prior to each election worked;

Be at your assigned polling place no later than 6 am on Election Day and remain at your polling location until closing procedures and precinct tabulation have been completed (usually 14 hour day);

Remain non-partisan at all times in dress and speech on Election Day;

Ensure voting process is carried out in accordance with Florida Election Law;

Communicate effectively with voters and poll workers;

Perform opening and closing procedures and maintain accurate ballot accounting information on Election Day;

Use laptop or call phone bank to determine voter’s eligibility and to direct voter to correct precinct for voting. Travel to SOE to return election supplies;

Assist voters as required on the use of the AutoMARK.

Direct the setup and breakdown of the polling room and equipment.

 

ASSISTANT CLERK ($180)

Description

Attributes

Skills

/Requirements

Responsibilities

Helps manage the polling place on Election Day by supervising the election process in accordance with Florida Election Law;

Assists the clerk in polling room setup and breakdown, and in resolving conflicts;

Communicates with the SOE office to resolve voter eligibility issues;

Uses a laptop to verify voter information;

Performs duties of Clerk in if needed.

Personable and friendly;

Sensitivity to persons with special needs;


Positive "can do" attitude; Ability to communicate effectively with co-workers and voters;


Conflict resolution skills;

Ability to function as a team leader;

Flexibility

Ability to manage, direct and monitor co-workers in assignments of duties;

Have transportation;

Work a minimum of 14 hours on Election Day. Attend 4 to 8 hours of pre-election training;

Be able to lift approximately 15 lbs;

Be able to stand on feet for long periods during the day.

Respond promptly to phone calls and requested follow-up as directed by SOE;

Become familiar with information listed on polling place agreement;

Confirm all information is correct regarding contact personnel;

Visit polling location with clerk prior to Election Day and meet personnel listed on agreement at polling place;

Confirm use of phone (if applicable) and access to polling room on election morning with personnel;

Read Polling Place Procedures Manual provided to you prior to each election worked;

Be at your assigned polling place no later than 6 am on Election Day and remain at your polling location until closing procedures and precinct tabulation have been completed (usually 14 hour day);

Perform the opening and closing procedures on the tabulator;

Set up and use laptop to determine voter’s eligibility and to direct voter to correct precinct for voting;

Assist voters as required on the use of the AutoMARK;

Remain non-partisan at all times in dress and speech on Election Day;

Ensure voting process is carried out in accordance with Florida Election Law;

Communicate effectively with voters and poll workers.


 

MACHINE CLERK ($175)

Description

Attributes

Skills

/Requirements

Responsibilities

Maintains the proper operation of the voting equipment and assists voters with questions or issues with scanning their voted ballot into the tabulator;

The machine clerk is responsible for the security of the voting equipment and tends to any jams or issues that may occur relating to the voting equipment.

Personable and friendly;

Sensitivity to persons with special needs;

Positive, "can do" attitude;

Ability to communicate effectively with co-workers and voters;

Conflict resolution skills;

Ability tto function as a team leader;


Flexibility

Ability to follow directions from clerk or assistant clerk;

Have transportation.

Work a minimum of 14 hours on Election Day;

Attend 4 to 8 hours of pre-election training;

Be able to lift approximately 15 lbs;

Be able to stand on feet for long periods during the day.

Respond promptly to phone calls and follow-up as directed by clerk or SOE;

Set up and break down the OSX Unit and AutoMARK on Election Day;

Perform the opening and closing procedures on the OSX Tabulator;

Become familiar with display messages on the OSX Tabulator and become familiar with the OSX Tabulator and AutoMARK to troubleshoot problems that may arise;

Capable of giving directions to voters and assist voters on the use of the OSX Tabulator and AutoMARK;

Read Polling Place Procedures Manual provided to you prior to each election worked;

Be at your assigned polling place no later than 6 am on Election Day and remain at your polling location until closing procedures and precinct tabulation have been completed (usually 14 hour day);

Ensure voting process is carried out in accordance with Florida Election Law;

Communicate effectively with voters and poll workers;

Remain non-partisan at all times in dress and speech on Election Day.


 

INSPECTOR ($140)

Description

Attributes

Skills

/Requirements

Responsibilities

Voter check-in inspector verifies voters’ ID and issues ballot to the voter;

Floor inspector ensures orderly flow inside the polling room and discards any items left by voters inside privacy booths or the polling room;

Exit inspector collects privacy folders from and hands each voter an "I Voted" sticker.

Personable and friendly;

Sensitivity to persons with special needs;

Positive, "I can do" attitude;

 

Ability to communicate effectively with co-workers and voters;

 

Team player;

 

Conflict resolution skills;

Flexibility

Ability to follow directions from clerk or assistant clerk;

Have transportation.

Work a minimum of 14 hours on Election Day;

Attend 4 to 8 hours of pre-election training;

Ability to lift approximately 15 lbs;

Be able to stand on feet for long periods during the day.

Respond promptly to phone calls and requested follow-up as directed by clerk or SOE;

Read Polling Place Procedures Manual provided to you prior to each election worked;

Be at your assigned polling place no later than 6 am on Election Day and remain at your polling location until closing procedures and precinct tabulation have been completed (usually 14 hour day);

Ensure voting process is carried out in accordance with Florida Election Law;

Communicate effectively with voters and poll workers;

Assist voters as required on the use of the AutoMARK;

Remain non-partisan at all times in dress and speech on Election Day

 

DEPUTY ($140)

Description

Attributes

Skills

/Requirements

Responsibilities

Ensures that voting signs are placed to best assist voters in finding the parking area and entrance to the polling room;

The deputy enforces no solicitation within 100’ of polling place entrance, maintains order, assists voters outside polling place, and implements temporary measures to make polling place accessible.

Personable and friendly;

Sensitivity to persons with special needs;

Positive, "I can do" attitude;

Ability to communicate effectively with co-workers and voters;

Team player; Flexibility;

Conflict resolution skills

Ability to follow directions from clerk or assistant clerk;
 

Have transportation;

Attend two hours of pre-election training prior to each election

Ability to lift approx 15lbs;

Be able to work outside for the entire Election Day;

Be able to stand on feet for long periods.

Respond promptly to phone calls and requested follow-up as directed by SOE;

Read Polling Place Procedures Manual provided to you prior to each election worked;

Be at your assigned polling place no later than 6 am on Election Day and remain at your polling location until closing procedures and precinct tabulation have been completed (usually 14 hour day);

Ensure voting process is carried out in accordance with Florida Election Law;

Work with clerk to designate the no solicitation zone and mark the boundaries;

Enforce no solicitation within 100’ of the polling place entrance;

Communicate effectively with voters and poll workers by answering questions and giving directions with a smile;

Implement temporary measures to make the polling place accessible for all people on Election Day and assist any voter as needed;

Remain non-partisan at all times in dressand speech on Election Day.


 

 


 

Please note: Florida has a very broad public records law. Written communications to or from the Supervisor of Elections regarding business constitute public records and are available to the public and media upon request unless the information is subject to a specific statutory exemption. Therefore, your e-mail address and message may be subject to public disclosure.