Work the Polls

Be a Part Of The Process - Work The Polls

On-line poll worker application

The Seminole County Supervisor of Elections is now accepting applications for poll worker positions. We are looking for good citizens to become part of our Election Day team. Because of our dedicated poll workers, we are able to provide quality service for voters at every polling place location in the County.

Poll workers are selected and appointed by the Supervisor of Elections. An election board for each precinct is composed of a clerk, inspectors, a voting equipment technician, election assistant for technical support with a laptop computer, and a poll deputy.

For an easy-reference sheet about poll worker requirements, you can download the following

Click here for the Poll Worker Fact Sheet 2013.

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Partners in Democracy

If you represent a company or organization and wish to raise money for your favorite nonprofit organization by "adopting" a precinct, consider our Partners in Democracy program or call 407-708-7711 for more information.

Previous Partners Include:

  • Casselberry Rotary
  • Central Florida International Black Women's Congress
  • Central Florida Regional Hospital
  • Children's Rights Foundation
  • Crooms Academy of Information Technology
  • GFWC Central Florida Woemn's Service League,Inc
  • The Gathering Place
  • Intervention Services
  • J. Douglas Williams YMCA Family Center
  • Kids House of Seminole
  • Kiwanis Club of Altamonte Springs
  • Kiwanis Club of Oviedo-Winter Springs
  • Leadership Seminole Class 16
  • Mended Hearts, Inc.
  • North Orlando Rowing
  • Oviedo Citizens in Action
  • Oviedo Women's Club
  • Progress Energy
  • Rotary Club of Sanford
  • Rotary Club of Winter Springs
  • Seminole County League of Women Voters
  • Seminole Cultural Arts Council
  • Seminole Spokes
  • Sounds of Sunshine, Inc.
  • South Seminole Demolet
  • Tijuana Flats
  • Westminster Presbyterian Church

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New Poll Worker Information Sessions

2013 Information Session Schedule

If you are a new poll worker, or if you are unsure if working the polls is right for you, attend one of our 1-hour Information Sessions to find out more details about becoming an election worker. Voters who have never worked the polls for Seminole County before and are definitely interested in becoming a poll worker MUST attend one of these sessions to complete the application process.

Download the Information Session schedule here or call our poll worker hotline at 407-708-7760 for dates and locations.

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A Typical Day Working At The Polls

All election board members must report to their assigned precinct by 6 a.m. on Election Day to prepare the polling place for voting by setting up the voting booths, signs, and supplies. Everyone should come prepared to spend a full day, bringing lunch, supper and any other necessities such as medicine, etc. No poll workers may leave the polling place during the day.

Proper attire (business casual, no jeans or shorts) is required. Poll workers shall not wear any clothing, jewelry, buttons, pins, etc., that suggest political party affiliation or promote a candidate or any issue on the ballot.

At 7 a.m., the poll workers open the polls for voting and:

  • Verify voter identification, addresses and signatures
  • Issue ballots and demonstrate proper voting procedures
  • Provide assistance to voters as needed

At 7 p.m., or whenever the last voter in line at 7 p.m. has voted, poll workers close the polls and perform their post-election responsibilities which includes packing up. No one is released until all election board tasks are completed and the clerk authorizes the dismissal. The clerk and another poll worker of differing party affiliations deliver all election materials to a designated drop-site immediately after leaving the polling place.

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Schools of Intruction

Florida law requires that all election board members attend a training session to learn about their specific duties and responsibilities as election officials. These required, paid classes are conducted by the Supervisor of Elections prior to each primary, general, and special election.

Portions of the Schools of Instruction are available online for completion prior to your classroom training, so access to the Internet is required.

Poll worker hiring begins approximately 4 months prior to an election. Submitting a poll worker application does NOT guarantee you a poll worker position. You are placed on our prospective poll worker list and will be contacted regarding any position openings.

Poll workers are paid for attendance at the mandatory School of Instruction as well as for working during early voting or on Election Day. Class assignments occur over the phone at the time of hiring and are confirmed through the mail. Training pay is included in the compensation levels outlined below. (Please note: you will only be paid for training if you actually work during early voting, on Election Day, or remain available as an alternate for Election Day.)

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Position Descriptions and Compensation Levels

Clerks                                                    Compensation $250.00                                                                              

  • The clerk is in charge of and responsible for ensuring that the election board carries out its duties and responsibilities.
  • Must demonstrate working knowledge of the laws and procedures relating to voter registration, voting system operation, balloting and polling place procedures.
  • Must have demonstrated problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills.
  • Complete online poll worker basics training once per year.
  • Attend a minimum of 4 hours of hands-on training prior to each election.
  • Pick up election materials from the Supervisor of Elections the day before the election.
  • Transmit election results to Supervisor of Elections after the polls close.
  • Return all election materials immediately after elections to designated drop-site.

Inspectors                                            Compensation $150.00

  • Inspectors assist the clerk with assigned duties at the polls on Election Day.
  • Complete online poll worker basics training once per year.
  • Attend a minimum of 3 hours of hands-on training prior to each election.
  • Confirm voter identification at the check-in table.
  • May be required to travel with the clerk to a designated drop-site to deliver election materials immediately after the closing and breakdown of the polling place.

Deputy                                                    Compensation $120.00

  • The deputy's responsibility is to maintain good order outside the polling place.
  • Complete online poll worker basics training once per year.
  • Attend a minimum of 2 hours of hands-on training prior to each election.
  • Monitor the 100 foot no-solicitation zone outside the polling place.
  • Subject to all lawful commands of the clerk or inspectors.

Election Assistants                              Compensation $150.00

  • The election assistant is responsible for researching voters' registration information via a laptop computer.
  • Complete online poll worker basics training once per year.
  • Attend a minimum of 3 hours of hands-on training prior to each election.
  • Direct voters who have moved or reported to a precinct other than the precinct in which s/he resides to the proper polling place to vote.
  • Assist voters with Election Day change of address procedures.
  • Issue provisional ballots to voters when necessary according to the guidelines outlined by Florida election law.
  • May be required to travel with the clerk to a designated drop-site to deliver election materials immediately after the closing and breakdown of the polling place.

Voting Equipment Technicians           Compensation $150.00

  • Staff the Accu-Vote machine and ballot box during the day, assisting voters casting a paper ballot.
  • Set up the touch screen voting unit on Election Day.
  • Activate ballots and provide technical support to voters using the touch screen on Election Day.
  • Complete online poll worker basics training once per year.
  • Attend a minimum of 3-5 hours of hands-on training prior to each election.
  • May be required to travel with the clerk to a designated drop-site to deliver election materials immediately after the closing and breakdown of the polling place.

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How To Get Involved - When you work the polls, the polls work!

Over 1,000 of your friends, neighbors, and co-workers serve our community each election year to perform this valuable public service. Why not join them? If you would like to contribute to making the election process work by applying to serve as a poll worker during early voting or on Election Day, you may:

  • Complete an on-line application (preferred) which is submitted directly to the elections office or complete the printable version of our poll worker application and fax to 407-708-7705 or mail to the address below.
  • Call our office at 407-708-7760 and ask about becoming a poll worker.
  • Stop by our office at 1500 East Airport Boulevard in Sanford, 32773 and fill out an application.

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Thank you for your commitment to democracy. We appreciate your interest and your assistance!