There are many kinds of jobs for poll workers to do, including helping voters check in, managing voter lines, troubleshooting equipment, and providing directions and assistance. Poll workers may also assist with various office duties. To learn more, check out our resource “A day in the life of a poll worker.”

No, these are different roles. Poll workers work for election administrators to help administer the election. They do things like set up the polling location, check in voters, assist voters with questions, and troubleshoot any other issues. Poll watchers, which are sometimes also known as poll observers or poll monitors, are volunteers or staff from an outside organization, political party, or campaign who are certified to observe and monitor election administration. Power the Polls only recruits poll workers.

Poll workers usually cast their votes early or by mail, but some cast their votes on Election Day. Certain jurisdictions may require poll workers to vote early or via absentee ballot. Your local election official can provide details about how poll workers cast their ballots.

Yes. Prior to Election Day, local jurisdictions host training and provide poll workers with all the necessary information and skills they need to be successful and help their neighbors vote.

Check to see if your local administrator has posted new training information. In some places, there are online trainings you can start immediately, though many may not be scheduled until closer to the election. If there is no information about training online, reach out to your election administrator directly to ask when training is and how to schedule yourself to attend.
In the meantime, check out our Resources page to learn more about what to expect at your training and at the polls.

Local jurisdictions will often pay poll workers a stipend for their participation. In most cases, you will be paid with a check for a day’s worth of work. In some cases, poll working may be voluntary and not paid. You can find out more about pay in your jurisdiction by reaching out directly to the local elections office or typing in your zip code at http://www.powerthepolls.org/search.

Accommodations vary state to state, so the best place to find information is by contacting your local election administrator directly. You can find their info here.

If you are not interested in being paid, you can ask your administrator about waiving your wages. If that is not possible, you can choose to donate it to a charity.

Election administrators work tirelessly to ensure the safety of poll workers and voters, so everyone has a positive experience at the polls! You can ask about specific safety measures during your training, and learn general tips for problem-solving at the polls here.