ELECTION OFFICIALS NEEDED!
Why be an Election Official?
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Election Officials, also known as Election Inspectors or Poll Workers, facilitate the right to vote and maintain order at the polls on Election Day. They ensure that our elections are open, fair, impartial, and trusted.
One of the most rewarding ways to become involved in the election process is to become an Election Inspector.
It allows you to serve and support your community.
We are always accepting applications for Election Officials - no experience needed!
Positions Available:
- Chief Inspector (the person in charge of the polling location - full-day),
- Poll worker at polling locations on Election Day (full-day or half-day),
- Poll worker at the Village for In-Person Absentee Voting,
- Poll worker at Special Voting locations (i.e. - Emerald Bay Retirement Community),
- Poll worker at Central Count (Central Count takes place on Election Day at Fire Station 1; absentee ballots are processed here).
Please note:
Pay for an Election Official is $11/hour.
Pay for Chief Inspector is $11.50/hour.
Meals are also provided on Election Day.
Have another job? You can still help your community!
Wisconsin law requires every employer to grant an unpaid leave of absence to each employee who is appointed to serve as an election inspector if the employee who serves as an election official provides their employer with at least 7 days' notice. The leave is for the entire 24-hour period of each election day in which the employee serves in their official capacity as an election inspector. Upon request from the employer, the Village will verify the appointment of their employee as an election inspector.
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How do I know if I will be working an election?
The Clerk's Office will send interest letters via email to eligible Election Officials about 6 weeks prior to each election. You can indicate if you are able to work, which shift you would prefer, and the polling location where you would like to work. While we try to schedule workers for their preferred shifts and locations, we are not always able to accommodate the requests. We need to keep a balance of new and experienced workers for each shift and location.
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Duties of an Election Official
Duties include setting up the polling place, registering voters, issuing ballots, recording who votes, monitoring the election equipment, completing Election Day forms, tallying write-in votes, and closing the polls.
Qualifications to serve as an Election Official:
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Be an eligible voter in Brown County (an adult U.S. citizen who has resided in Brown County for at least 28 days, and not disqualified from voting)
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Attend training
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Ability to effectively work well with multicultural populations
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Pay close attention to detail
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Speak, read, write, and understand English
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Be capable of performing each task at the polling place
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Work well with others
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Perform duties in a non-partisan manner
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Abide by state and federal election laws
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Never engage in electioneering at the polling place
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Treat all voters with respect
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Treat Election Officials and Clerk’s Office employees with respect
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Be free from the influence of alcohol and/or drugs while at the polls
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HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS -
Did you know, high school students who are at least 16 years old may work at the polls?! A parent/guardian and high school principal must authorize participation. Learn more about becoming a Student Election Official.
Election Official Training
Election Officials are required to attend training prior to working an election, typically one (1) hour long. You will be paid for your time.
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Chief inspectors must receive three (3) hours of continuing election education training during each two-year period.​
Election Day Reminders for Poll Workers
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Wear comfortable shoes and clothing. We recommend wearing layers because we don't control the thermostats in polling places.
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Please do not wear or use any scented products. Other poll workers and voters may have chemical sensitivities.
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Keep food and drinks away from the poll books and ballot table.
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Poll workers may not wear political apparel at the polls.
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Political conversations are not allowed at the polls. This applies even when voters are not present.
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Be prepared to rotate tasks on Election Day. Tell the Chief Inspector about any accommodations you need to perform each task.