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Election Officials
- Becoming an Election Inspector
- Frequently Asked questions
- Student Poll Workers
- Training
- Your Rights as a poll official
Election Officials facilitate the right to vote and maintain order at the polls on Election Day. Citizen involvement is essential to conduct open, accurate, and fair elections in Wisconsin. This paid position can entail some very long hours but is also very rewarding and exciting.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What are the qualifications to become an Election Official? | To work the polls you must:
· Be an eligible voter in Dane County · Attend training · Pay close attention to detail · Speak, read, write, and understand English · Be capable of performing each task at the polling place · Work well with others · Perform duties in a non-partisan manner · Abide by state and federal election laws · Never engage in electioneering at the polling place · Treat all voters with respect · Treat Election Officials and Clerk’s office employees with respect · Be free from the influence of alcohol and/or drugs while at the polls · Not be a candidate for any office on the ballot for that election |
| What jobs are available on Election Day? | · Set up the polling place
· Register voters
· Check in voters · IssuebBallots
· Monitor the election equipment · Count the votes
· Complete Election Day forms
· Tally write-in votes
· Close the polls |
| What shifts are available to work on Election Day? | · AM Shift (6:30 am—1:30 pm)
· PM Shift (1:30 pm—Close)
· All Day Shifts (Chief Inspectors and during worker shortages) · Absentee ballot processing workers typically start at 6:30 am and stay until all processing is complete. |
| What is the hourly pay for working the polls? | · Training Pay $12.00 per hour
· Election Day Pay $15.00 per hour
· Chief Inspector Pay $20.00 per hour · You may also choose to volunteer your time |
| Who is in charge of the polling place ? | Chief Inspectors oversee each polling place and have knowledge of all Election procedures. |
| Can I pick which job and shift I work? | Yes, the City Clerk will send out a sign-up sheet a few weeks prior to the Election. |
| Do you provide breaks and/or meals? | Breaks are provided throughout your shift as needed. The Clerk's office will notify you prior to the election on what meals will be provided. |
| Is there any work prior to Election Day in the Clerk's Office (early voting?) | Yes, if you are an Election Official, you will also be notified when there is any Clerk's office work prior to Election Day. Such work incudes preparing the absentee ballots for the mail and Early Voting office hour work. |
The City of Middleton is looking for students who are interested in helping greet and direct voters at the polls for the 2024 Elections. All hours worked will count towards your community service hours needed to graduate.
Benefits
· Hands-on experience of learning how local elections are conducted
· Gain a lifelong appreciation for the democratic process
· Receive satisfaction of playing an active and important role in your community.
How to Apply
Meet the requirements and obtain signatures from your parents and teacher
Complete the nomination form and email it to the City Clerk
To be eligible to work at the polls you must first complete training. The training takes around 3 hours to complete and is an essential part of understanding the procedures at the polls. Please follow the steps below to get signed up and trained to be an Election Official:
1. Email the City Clerk for information on getting set up to work as and Election Official.
2. The clerk will provide the initial training information. This is done online (at home). It will require 1-2 hours of time.
3. After the initial training is complete, you will email the clerk your training oath.
4. The clerk will then provide you a sign-up sheet of available hands-on training times. Hands-on training will require 1 hour of time.
5. Once both trainings are completed, you will be added to the list of Election Officials and will receive work sign-up emails when they become available (typically a few weeks prior to the election).
Wisconsin law requires every employer to grant an unpaid leave of absence to each employee who is appointed to serve as an election official, if the employee who serves as an election official provides his or her employer with at least seven days' notice. The leave is for the entire 24-hour period of each Election Day in which the employee serves in his or her official capacity as an election inspector. Upon request of any employer municipal clerks must verify appointments.