Precinct Election Officers

Becoming a Precinct Election Official

When there is an election in a County, the County Auditor needs people to staff the polling places.  On election day, election officials arrive at a polling place about an hour before the polls open and remain at the polling place for about an hour after the polls close.

The number of election officials at each polling place varies from county to county and may differ depending on the type of election. The election workday can be up to 16 hours depending on the election.

Election officials attend a school of instruction before an election where the details of working a polling site are reviewed. The school of instruction usually lasts 1-2 hours.

• Qualifications
  • - Registered to vote in the county where you will serve as an election official.
    - Free of close ties to any one candidate
    - Have energy and stamina.
    - Have good reading and listening skills and legible handwriting.
    - Enjoy people and service to others.
    - Willing to attend a training class.
    - Willing to accept a small payment for a BIG service.

    Under new state guidelines 17-year-old high school students may now be allowed to work as election officials. Contact your local County Auditor for details.

• What Does an Election Official Do?
  • On election day, election officials arrive at a polling place about an hour before the polls open and remain at the polling place for about an hour after the polls close. There are at least three election officials at every polling place. The election workday is 15 or 16 hours depending on the election.
    
    - Set up the polling place before the polls open
    - Set up the voting equipment
    - Check that voters are qualified to vote
    - Instruct voters how to properly use the voting equipment
    - Close the polling place
    - Complete paperwork and clean up polling area
• When are Elections Held?
  • Elections are always held on a Tuesday.
    
    SCHOOL elections are held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in September.
    
    CITY elections are held on the first Tuesday in November of odd-numbered years.
    
    PARTISAN PRIMARY elections are held on the first Tuesday in June of even-numbered years. Polls are open 7AM to 9PM statewide.  
    
    GENERAL elections are held on the first Tuesday in November of even-numbered years. Polls are open 7AM to 9PM statewide.  
    
    SPECIAL elections may be called at anytime during the year and are held on Tuesday.
• Want More Information or Want to Sign Up?
  • Contact your County Auditor.