Poll Official Information

 

The Newton County Board of Elections is always seeking citizens to serve as Poll Officials on Election Day. Serving as a Poll Official is a tremendous opportunity to put your patriotism into action. It is also a great way to serve your community in an important position of trust.


What are the Qualifications / Requirements?

  1. You must be a U.S. citizen; a resident of the county where you will be working; 16 years of age or over; able to read, write and speak the English language; and have no felony convictions.
  2. A poll worker cannot be a candidate for public office or hold a public office, other than a political party office, while serving as a poll worker.
  3. A parent, spouse, child, brother, sister, father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law of a candidate cannot serve as a poll worker in any precinct where that candidate is listed on the ballot.
  4. No Volunteer positions allowed - Poll workers are hired as location have vacancies. These are not permanent position and no overtime compensation.
  5. Poll workers are compensated as a contracted / seasonal / temporary worker without additional benefits. Advance voting weekly  work hours can range from 20 - 30 hours per week and no overtime compensation available.
  6. Poll workers are assigned to any available polling location that is in need of staff assistance within Newton County.
  7. W9 is required  and background checks will be conducted on all potential workers before being assigned to an open location. 
  8. Must be willing to help with setup and breakdown of voting equipment. Customer Service is needed inside and outside the polling locations.
  9. All Poll Workers are paid by direct deposit. ( Checking / Savings information will need to be provided with onboarding process)  ( No Exception)
  10. Hiring ID requirements:  Drivers License / Original SS Card ( This is required for onboarding processing) No Exceptions
  11. Poll Workers are paid around 21 days after the election cycle. ( IE Election Day Cycle : General Election / Special + General Election / Special Run Off) 
  12. Poll Worker Manual

What training is required?   https://georgiapollworkers.sos.ga.gov/

The Newton County Board of Elections & Registration is responsible for selecting and training all poll workers. Training is required before every election except runoff elections and a special election held between a General Primary and a General Election. After training, you will receive a certificate stating that you are qualified to work in an upcoming primary or election. Before the election, the Poll Manager, Assistant Managers, and Clerks at each polling location will take an oath of office together.  Required Training will be  scheduled for 2-3 hours  (must work AIP and/or ED) attendance required for the one day paid training period. 

  • Set- up and Breaking down of voting equipment 
  • Opening and Closing Polling Locations
  • Providing voters with proper instructions of usage of voting equipment
  • Ensuring all Election Laws are followed
  • Cleaning polling location at the end of election night


What are the compensations for working as a poll worker?


TRAINING FLAT RATE: $20.00   - (one time payout)

Training is inclusive of election opening and closing processes and equipment handling training  


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ADVANCE IN PERSON (AIP)  - 17 days  - Work Schedule will be set 

AIP POLL MANAGERS - $17.00 PER HOUR ( previous experience a plus) 

AIP ASST. POLL MANAGER - $ 16.00 PER HOUR ( previous experience a plus) 

AIP CLERKS - $15.00 PER HOUR 

15 - 30 hours per week  ( as needed)   / work days could range from 5 hours - 8 hours shifts 

Equipment Custodial Support - $15.00 per hour ( heavy lifting of equipment) daily schedule provided


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ELECTION DAY (FLAT RATE PAYOUT)  5:30am - until released by Poll Manager

ED – POLL MANAGERS - $250.00 ( previous experience a plus)

ED – ASST. POLL MANAGER - $200.00  ( previous experience a plus)

ED- CLERKS - $150.00

**There are NO hourly shifts on Election Day**

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When are application accepted for Poll Worker opportunities?

Applications are accepted online or in-person at anytime. Applications are held for 24 months from the date of submittal. Applicants are called in when positions are available at polling locations.  At that time onboarding will be set up and the applicant will be required to provided all needed document required by Human Resource to continue the official hiring process. Applicants may be asked to be placed on a emergency back up list on the day of election just in case there are call outs for the day. All applicants may not be assigned is there are no vacancies. All applicants, when hired who have not  attended training will not be able to work unless approved by office management . (Circumstances will be reviewed) 


Poll Officials Responsibilities   Poll Worker Waiver Form

Poll Workers interested outside of the county: O.C.G.A 21-2-92  -   ( Waiver form will be required to be completed for approval between the adjacent Counties) 

A poll officer may be allowed to serve in a county that adjoins the county in which such poll officer resides if, in the discretion of the election superintendent of the county in which such person resides, the waiver of such county residency or county employment requirements of paragraph (1) of this subsection do not impair the ability of the county to provide adequate staff for the performance of election duties under this chapter and if ,in the discretion of the county election superintendent in which such person wishes to serve, sufficient need for more poll officers exists."   


Poll Officials Responsibilities   

Poll Officials are responsible for opening and closing polling locations, providing voters with proper instructions to cast their ballot, and ensuring all Election Laws are followed.  Poll Officials provide a beneficial service to the citizens of Newton County. Customer Service Excellence and On time Attendance is required. 

If you are interested in serving as a Poll Official, to access the Poll Official form type in the above search bar.  You must complete the form in it's entirety and submit to our office. Once the completed form is returned, your name will be added to the list of Potential Poll Officials. The office Staff will contact you when an available assignments  have been identified and training was completed  Please be patient . Your interest as a poll worker is much appreciated.  Our office staff works hard to assign interested persons to a precinct location close to your residence.  However, you may be assigned to a different location because of staffing needs. 

Thanks again for your interest!    Poll Workers Online Application : Click Here