Become a Precinct Worker

It takes more than 200 people to operate Cleveland County polling places each election. These people are your friends, coworkers and neighbors who give 2–3 days of paid service to ensure you have a place to vote on Election Day. We need your help, too! More poll workers are needed in your neighborhood. Do your part to provide voting opportunities in your community.

Benefits of Being a Precinct Official

• Make friends
• Meet people in your neighborhood
• Have fun
• Learn about elections
• Make extra cash
• Looks great on resumes
• Fulfill your civic duty

As a precinct official, you will work at one of Cleveland County's 21 polling places. Precinct officials set up supplies and voting equipment, assist voters, verify their registration, issue ballots and manage crowds. Precinct officials are assigned to positions based on their strengths, interests and experience.

YES. All precinct officials are required by law to attend training classes before each election. You will attend 1–4 classes based on your job assignment and level of experience. You will receive payment for attending training classes unless you fail to work on Election Day.

Precinct officials are paid a flat rate for attending training, setting up supplies the evening before Election Day, and working on Election Day. Compensation varies with your job assignment and the number of classes you are required to attend. See precinct offical guide for further information. 

• Must be a Cleveland County registered voter (or become registered if eligible)
• Must not be a candidate or relative of a candidate in the election
• Must not be an elected government official, hold office with a political party or be a manager or treasurer for a candidate or political party
• Must not serve at the same polling place as a spouse, child, spouse of a child, sister or brother

• Must have reliable transportation to and from the polling place
• Must work all day on Election Day (6 a.m. to approximately 9 p.m.)
• Must assist with the setup of election supplies and voting equipment on the Monday evening before Election Day
• Must not promote or discuss any candidate, political party, policy or cause while working on Election Day
• Must attend all required training classes before each election
• Must work on Election Day in order to receive payment for attending training

• Ability and knowledge to use computers, including opening and closing procedures for voting machines, using laptops and printers for elections applications, voter look-ups, etc.
• Ability to provide information to voters
• Ability to express oneself clearly and effectively in verbal and written form
• Ability to organize and direct the activities of a polling place
• Ability to lift or move voting machines, precinct supply boxes and other materials needed to operate a polling location

There are a few ways you can become a precinct worker: 

Complete an online application here: Be a Precinct Official