It’s election season, Virginia!
Virginia poll workers play an important role in keeping our elections safe, fair, and efficient. But many counties across the commonwealth need more election officials to help staff polling places.
Here’s more information on how you can get involved:
What is a poll worker?
Poll workers, or their more official title: election officials, are citizens trained to run polling locations.
The responsibilities of an election official vary greatly, but include: greeting voters, opening and closing polling locations, assisting voters, maintaining voting equipment, and more.
Not to be confused with poll watchers, poll workers are employed by local governments to aid in elections. However, poll watchers are employed by a political party, campaign, or organization to monitor election locations.
Why are they needed?
Elections are a busy time for everyone, with so many votes to count and so many citizens to help. Poll workers are essential to ensure elections are administered with regulation and efficiency.
What are the perks?
There are several perks to becoming a poll worker or election official.
First, becoming a poll worker is a great opportunity to connect with your community. Whether it is interacting with voters or bonding with fellow workers at your polling place, you connect with many friendly, local faces as a poll worker.
Second, by working as a poll worker, you keep our elections safe and fair.
And last, you can get paid! Payment varies greatly, but in many instances you are compensated for a day’s work and can even receive a stipend for travel. In Virginia, poll workers are paid $75 a day.
What are the requirements?
- Be registered to vote in Virginia
- Reside in Virginia
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Go through poll worker training
How to apply
Power the Polls is a nonpartisan organization whose mission is to facilitate the new generation of poll workers in the United States. When polling places are properly staffed, elections stay accessible for every Virginian.
Power the Polls is your hub for everything you need to know about poll workers. Visit their website for information on your local polling place’s compensation, hours, application, and more.
Interested in applying? You can become a poll worker in Virginia by visiting Power the Polls’ website.
Have an event to add? Email State Organizing Coordinator Ava Edwards at ava@couriernewsroom.com. Please send details at least one week before the event.
Need more information before casting your next ballot?
Use Dogwood’s voter registration tool below to check your registration status, find your polling place, and stay updated for future elections, so you and your family never miss the chance to vote.
