Election Poll Workers

Elections

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NCSL does not run elections and cannot provide legal advice. If you are a voter looking for assistance, please contact your local election official. You can find your local election official's website and contact information by using this database from the US Vote Foundation.

Overview

Every year, millions of Americans travel to their local polling places to cast their ballots. Though voting methods in the past few years have trended toward mail-in or absentee ballots, voting in person at the polls remains the most popular voting method.

According to the 2022 Election Administration and Voting Survey (EAVS) report released by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC), more than 150,000 polling places were opened and staffed by more than 600,000 poll workers in 2022. Most of these poll workers are part-time, temporary employees recruited by local election officials to staff polling places during early voting and on Election Day. Polling places average about eight on-staff workers for the whole day.

A poll worker’s job begins before Election Day, as many states require workers to attend training. Additionally, sometimes poll workers must work at the polling place the night before or the morning of Election Day to set up the voting equipment. Once voters arrive, a poll worker’s tasks can include checking voter IDs, distributing ballots, helping elderly and disabled citizens vote, updating voter registration information and maintaining a safe and orderly polling place. Once the last voter has cast their ballot, workers must make sure every ballot that was distributed is accounted for.

Because poll workers are recruited by local officials, requirements for the job can vary by county and state. Even the official name given to a poll worker varies. They may be called election clerks, election judges, inspectors or commissioners.

Nebraska is the only state that permits jurisdictions to “draft” poll workers in the same fashion as courts select jury members. In the counties that use this statutory permission, the election officials draw from a randomized pool of registered voters and send out notice for those people to appear.

Hawaii, Oregon and Washington conduct elections mostly by mail and do not have specific requirements for poll workers in statute. Employees or volunteers are involved in processing mail ballots, but these states do not employ poll workers in the traditional sense.

The tables below include more detailed information about poll workers and their job requirements in the 50 states, five territories and the District of Columbia.

Key Takeaways

According to the 2022 Election Administration and Voting Survey  report released by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, more than 150,000 polling places were opened and staffed by more than 600,000 poll workers in 2022.
Most of these poll workers are part-time, temporary employees hired by local election officials to staff polling places during early voting and on Election Day. 
A poll worker’s job begins even before Election Day, as many states require workers to attend training.
Because poll workers are hired by local officials, requirements for the job can vary county to county and state to state.

Must a Poll Worker Be a Voter?

In most states, poll workers must be qualified or registered voters. Generally, this means they are a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, meet their state’s residency requirements and have no criminal history that would prevent them from voting. Youth poll worker programs are an exception. See the next section for more information about these programs.

What States Have Youth Poll Worker Programs? What are Their Requirements?

Forty-four states and the District of Columbia have established youth poll worker programs as a way for people younger than 18 to participate in Election Day. These programs lend a hand to election officials, who often cite poll worker recruitment as their biggest concern. Youth poll worker programs are often also intended to encourage young citizens to engage in democracy, helping make lifelong voters.

American Samoa, Guam, Montana, Northern Mariana Islands, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Dakota and the Virgin Islands have no codified youth poll worker program. Hawaii, Oregon and Washington conduct elections mostly by mail and do not have codified youth poll worker programs.

Youth poll workers can be excellent additions to precinct polling places. They can readily learn how to use electronic poll books, assist elderly and disabled voters and, in many states, do the same jobs as adult poll workers. While many states have expanded their laws to allow youth to work as poll workers, a number of these programs are organized at the local level and may be run in conjunction with high schools or community youth programs. Sometimes, counties and precincts can opt out of establishing youth programs.

In 2019, Maryland created a special Election Day page program that permits youth who are at least 14 years old to serve at the polls, the youngest. A page may not engage in partisan activity, touch a marked ballot, or work more than two four-hour shifts. They serve under direct supervision of election judges (Md. Elec. Code Ann. § 10-401 et seq.).

Where Must a Poll Worker Reside to Serve at a Polling Place?

Residency requirements can dictate the polling places where a worker can serve. In many states, poll workers are expected to reside in the precinct where the polling place is located. It can be difficult to find enough poll workers within a specific boundary of residence, though, especially within a specific precinct. Many states therefore allow workers to come from outside the required boundaries in certain circumstances. In addition to precinct residency requirements, many other states specify poll workers must reside in the county, township or municipality where the polling place is located. In a handful of states, the only requirement is that poll workers reside in the state. See the table below for details.

Is There a Mandated Political Party Distribution Among Poll Workers?

To preserve the fairness of elections, 40 states, Guam and Puerto Rico mandate a specific political party makeup of their poll worker pool. A worker’s party affiliation is sometimes taken from voter registration records or based on the party they voted for in the last primary election. In many states, poll workers must be nominated by the local chapter of their political party to serve in affiliation with that party.

Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Colunbia, Georgia, Indiana and Louisiana do not require poll workers to come from different parties, but political parties still have a role in choosing poll workers. Hawaii, Oregon and Washington conduct elections mostly by mail and do not have statutory requirements for partisan balance of poll workers.

Table 1: Poll Worker Qualifications, Youth Poll Worker Programs, Residency Requirements and Partisan Distribution
State	Must a Poll Worker be a Qualified Voter?	Youth Poll Worker Program	Residency Requirement	Partisan Distribution
Alabama	Yes. Ala. Code § 17-8-19(a).	16-year-olds can be student intern poll workers. Ala. Code § 17-8-14.	Poll workers shall be registered voters in the county in which they serve. Ala. Code § 17-8-1(a).	One inspector and at least three clerks shall be appointed for each county from members of opposing political parties, if practicable. Ala. Code § 17-8-5.
Alaska	Yes. Alaska Stat. § 15.10.120(a).	16-year-olds can be youth vote ambassador poll workers. Alaska Stat. § 15.10.108.	Poll workers must reside in the precinct unless there are not enough qualified candidates. Alaska Stat. § 15.10.120(a).	Each precinct must have one nominee from each of the two major political parties. Alaska Stat. § 15.10.120(c).
Arizona	Yes. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 16-531(A).	16-year-olds can serve as poll workers. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 16-531(F).	Poll workers must reside in the precinct. If there are not enough qualified candidates, they must be residents of the state. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 16-531(A).	Partisan distribution requirements vary by type of poll worker position. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 16-531(A).
Arkansas	Yes. Ark. Stat. Ann. § 7-4-109(a).	Students may serve as poll workers or volunteer election pages. Ark. Stat. Ann. §§ 7-4-116, -117.	Poll workers must reside in their precinct. If there are not enough qualified candidates, they must be residents of the county. Ark. Stat. Ann. § 7-4-109(b).	The minority party election commissioner has the option to designate a number of election officials equal to one less than the number of election officials from the majority party at each polling place. Ark. Stat. Ann. § 7-4-107(b)
California	Yes. Up to 5five nonvoters per precinct may also serve as precinct board members if they meet certain qualifications. Cal. Elec. Code §12302.	Up to five 16-year-olds per precinct can serve as poll workers. Cal. Elec. Code §12302(b)(1).	Poll workers must reside in the state. Cal. Elec. Code §12302(a).	No partisan distribution requirement for poll workers. County election officials must give preference to parties’ nominees when appointing precinct board members. Cal. Elec. Code §12306.
Colorado	Yes. Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-6-101(2)(a).	16-year-olds may serve as poll workers. Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-6-101(2)(a).	Poll workers must reside in the state. Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-6-101(7).	An equal number of poll workers must belong to each of the two major parties. Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-6-109.
Connecticut	Yes. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 9-233.	16-year-olds may serve as poll workers. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 9-235d.	Poll workers must reside in the town. Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 9-233, 9-235d	No partisan distribution requirement for poll workers. The town party chair of the registrar’s party can submit up to four workers per polling place per shift from their party, who the registrar may then appoint. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 9-235.
Delaware Delaware Elections – Working at the Polls	Yes. College students who are not registered to vote may serve as poll workers in the county where they attend college.	16-year-olds may serve as poll workers.	Poll workers must reside in the county.	No partisan distribution requirement for poll workers.
District of Columbia	Yes. Poll workers who are District government employees need not be D.C. residents. D.C. Code Ann. § 1-1001.05(e)(4)	16-year-olds may serve as poll workers. D.C. Code Ann. § 1-1001.05(e)(4)(A)	Poll workers must reside in the District. Poll workers who are District government employees need not be D.C. residents. D.C. Code Ann. § 1-1001.05(e)(4).	No partisan distribution requirement for poll workers. Poll workers must “maintain a position of strict impartiality and refrain from any activity which would imply support or opposition to” a political party or candidate. D.C. Code Ann. § 1-1001.05(f)(1).
Florida	Yes. Fla. Stat. § 102.012(2)	16-year-olds may serve as poll workers. Fla. Stat. §§ 97.041(1), 102.012(2)	Poll workers must reside in the county. Fla. Stat. § 102.012(2)	No polling place can have poll workers from only one party, except for party primaries. Fla. Stat. § 102.012(2)
Georgia	No. Ga. Code Ann. § 21-2-92	16-year-olds may serve as poll workers. Ga. Code Ann. § 21-2-92(a)(1)	Generally, poll workers must reside in the county. Poll workers may serve in a county adjoining the county in which they live if there are not enough qualified candidates in that county. Ga. Code Ann. § 21-2-92	No partisan distribution requirement for poll workers.
Guam	Yes. Guam Code Ann. tit. 3, § 4105	Not specified.	Poll workers must reside in the district. Guam Code Ann. tit. 3, § 4105	Poll workers must be evenly divided among recognized parties. Guam Code Ann. tit. 6, § 1101
Hawaii	Not specified. Elections are conducted mostly by mail. Employees or volunteers are involved in processing mail ballots, but the state does not employ poll workers.	Not specified.	Not specified.	Not specified.
Idaho	No statutory requirement.	16-year-olds may serve as poll workers. Idaho Code § 34-303(4)	No statutory residency requirement.	Poll workers are appointed from lists provided by precinct party officers. The election board must “contain personnel representing all existing political parties.” Idaho Code § 34-303, 34-2412(1)
Illinois	Yes. 10 Ill. Comp. Stat. § 5/13-4(a); § 5/14-1(b)(7). College students who are registered elsewhere may serve as poll workers in certain circumstances. 10 Ill. Comp. Stat. § 5/13-4(c)	High school juniors and seniors may serve as poll workers. 10 Ill. Comp. Stat. § 5/13-4(b); § 5/14-1(c).	Poll workers must reside in the precinct or, in some circumstances, in the county. 10 Ill. Comp. Stat. § 5/13-4(a); 10 Ill. Comp. Stat. § 5/14-1(b)(7). College students who are registered elsewhere may serve as poll workers in some circumstances. 10 Ill. Comp. Stat. § 5/13-4(c)	In a precinct with five poll workers, three must be members of the “first leading” party and two must be from the “second leading” party. The ratio is similar but adjusted for precincts with fewer poll workers. 10 Ill. Comp. Stat. § 5/13-1; § 5/14-3.1
Indiana	Yes. Ind. Code §§ 3-6-6-1(d);3-6-6-2(c); 3-6-6-3(c); 3-6-6-5(c)	16-year-olds may serve as poll workers. Ind. Code §§ 3-6-6-39	Poll workers must reside in the county. Ind. Code §§ 3-6-6-1(d); 3-6-6-2(c); 3-6-6-3(c); 3-6-6-5(c)	The county chairman of the party whose candidate for sSecretary of sState received the most votes in the county may nominate a voter to serve as precinct inspector and each of the two major parties may nominate a voter to serve as precinct judges. Ind. Code §§ 3-6-6-1; 3-6-6-8
Iowa	Yes. Iowa Code § 49.13(1)	17-year-olds may serve as poll workers. Iowa Code § 49.13(6)	Preference is given to poll workers who reside in the precinct, but poll workers may be appointed to any precinct in the county they live in. Iowa Code § 49.13(1)	No more than a simple majority of poll workers in a precinct may be members of the same party. Iowa Code § 49.12 Unaffiliated voters may not comprise more than one-third of an election board. Iowa Code § 49.13(2)
Kansas	Yes. Kan. Stat. Ann. § 25-2804(b)	16-year-olds may serve as poll workers. Kan. Stat. Ann. § 25-2804(b)	Poll workers must live in the voting “area,” with some exceptions. Kan. Stat. Ann. § 25-2803(e), 2804	Not more than half of the poll workers can be members of the same party except in some specified circumstances. Kan. Stat. Ann. § 25-2802, 2803
Kentucky	Yes. Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 117.045(9)	17-year-olds may serve as poll workers. Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 117.045(9)(b)	Poll workers must reside in the precinct. Poll workers may reside in the county if there are not enough qualified poll workers in the precinct. Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 117.045(9)(a)	Each precinct must have two poll workers from each of the two major political parties. Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 117.045
Louisiana	Yes. La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 18:424(B)(1)	17-year-olds may serve as poll workers. La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 18:425(B)(5)	Preference is given to residents of the precinct. La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 18:425(B)(2)	Not specified, but party affiliation must be provided to the clerk La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 18:424(B)(4)
Maine	Yes. Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. T. 21-A, § 501 (3)	16-year-olds may serve as poll workers. Me. Rev. Stat. T. 21-A, § 503-A (1)	Poll workers must reside in the municipality or the county in which they serve. Me. Rev. Stat. T. 21-A, § 503-A (1)	There must be at least 2 two election clerks, one from each of the major parties. Me. Rev. Stat. T. 21-A, § 503-A (4)
Maryland	Yes. Md. Elec Law Code Ann. § 10-202(a)(1)	16-year-olds may serve as poll workers. Md. Elec Law Code Ann. § 10-202(a)(2)(ii)	Poll workers must reside in the county they are to serve in. Md. Elec. Law Code Ann. § 10-202(a)(1)	Each polling place shall have an equal number of election judges from the majority party and the principal minority party. Md. Elec Law Code Ann. § 10-201
Massachusetts	Yes. Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 54, § 11	16-year-olds may serve as poll workers. Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 54, §11B	Poll workers must reside in the city or town. Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 51, § 1	Polling places must have an equal number of poll workers from the two leading political parties. Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 54, § 13
Michigan	Yes. Mich. Comp. Laws § 168.677(1)	16-year-olds may be appointed to a board of election inspectors. Mich. Comp. Laws § 168.677(4)	Poll workers must reside in the township or city. Mich. Comp. Laws § 168.492	The board of election commissioners shall appoint at least one election inspector from each major political party and shall appoint an equal number, as nearly as possible, of election inspectors in each election precinct from each major political party. Mich. Comp. Laws §§ 168.674(2)
Minnesota	Yes. Minn. Stat. § 204B.19(1)	16-year-olds may serve as poll workers. Minn. Stat. § 204B.19(6)	Must be eligible to vote in Minnesota. Minn. Stat. § 204B.19(1)	No more than half of the election judges in a precinct may be members of the same major political party unless the election board consists of an odd number of election judges. Minn. Stat. § 204B.19 (5)
Mississippi	Yes. Miss. Code Ann. § 23-15-231	16-year-old may be appointed as interns. Miss. Code Ann. § 23-15-240	Poll workers must reside in the county. Miss. Code Ann. § 23-15-11	The poll managers shall not all be of the same political party if suitable persons of different political parties can be found in the district. Miss. Code Ann. § 23-15-231
Missouri	Yes. Mo. Rev. Stat. § 115.085	15-year-olds may assist poll workers. Mo. Rev. Stat. § 115.104	Poll workers must reside in the jurisdiction. Mo. Rev. Stat. § 115.085	In all primary and general elections, the election authority shall appoint at least two judges from each major political party to serve at each polling place. Mo. Rev. Stat. § 115.081(1)-(2)
Montana	Yes. Mont. Code Ann. § 13-4-107(1)	Not specified.	Poll workers must reside in the county. Mont. Code Ann. § 13-1-111(1)(c)	Each board of election judges must include judges representing all parties. No more than the number of election judges needed to obtain a simple majority may be appointed from the political party in each county. Mont. Code Ann. § 13-4-102
Nebraska	Yes. Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 32-221(3)	16-year-old may serve as poll workers. Neb. Rev. Stat.§ 32-230(6)	Poll workers must reside in the county. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 32-221	All precinct and district inspectors shall be divided between all political parties as nearly as practicable in proportion to the number of votes cast in such county. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 32-223 (3)
Nevada	Yes. Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 293.217 (1)	16-year-olds may serve as poll workers. Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 293.2175	Poll workers must reside in the county. Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 293.217 (1)	The registered voters appointed as election board officers for any polling place must not all be of the same political party. Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 293.217(1)
New Hampshire	Yes. N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 658:3	17-year-olds may serve as poll workers. N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 658:7-a	Poll workers must reside in the voting district. N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 658:3	Poll workers are drawn equally from the two political parties which received the largest number of votes cast. IN.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 658:2
New Jersey	Yes. N.J. Stat. Ann. § 19:6-2(a)	16-year-olds may serve as poll workers. N.J. Stat. Ann. § 19:6-2(a)	Poll workers must reside in the county. N.J. Stat. Ann. § 19:6-2	The members of any district board shall be equally apportioned between the two political parties. N.J. Stat. Ann. § 19:6-3(a-b)
New Mexico	Yes. N.M. Stat. Ann. § 1-2-7	16-year-olds may serve as poll workers. N.M. Stat. Ann. § 1-2-7	Poll workers must reside in the county. N.M. Stat. Ann. § 1-2-7	No more than two of three judges shall be of the same party. N.M. Stat. Ann. § 1-2-12
New York	Yes. N.Y. Election Law § 3-401	17-year-olds may serve as poll workers. N.Y. Election Law § 3-401	Poll workers must reside in the county or city for New York City. N.Y. Election Law § 3-401	Poll workers shall be equally divided between the major political parties. New York City. N.Y. Election Law § 3-401
North Carolina	Yes. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 163-41	17-year-olds may serve as poll workers. N.C. Gen. Stat. §163-42.1	Poll workers must reside in the precinct. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 163-41	No more than one judge shall be of the same party as the chief judge and an equal number of precinct assistants shall be appointed from each party. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 163-42
North Dakota	Yes. N.D. Cent. Code § 16.1-05-02	16-year-olds may serve as poll workers. N.D. Cent. Code § 16.1-05-02	Poll workers must reside in the precinct, though county auditors can use other poll workers within the legislative district and county if necessary. N.D. Cent. Code § 16.1-05-02, N.D. Cent. Code § 16.1-05-01	Election judges are appointed by district party chairs and must represent the two parties with the most votes in the last general election. N.D. Cent. Code § 16.1-05-01
N. Mariana Islands	Not specified.	Not specified.	Not specified.	Not specified.
Ohio	Yes. Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 3501.22	17-year-olds may serve as poll workers. Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 3501.22	Poll workers must reside in the county. Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 3501.22(A)	No more than half of poll workers are to be of the same party. Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 3501.22(A)
Oklahoma	Yes. Okla. Stat. tit. 26, § 2-131	Not specified.	Poll workers must reside in the county. Okla. Stat. tit. 26, § 2-131	Polling places must have an inspector, a judge and a clerk. One shall be of the party of the most registered voters in the state, one shall be of the party with the second most registered voters of the state, and one shall be unaffiliated. Okla. Stat. tit. 26, § 2-123
Oregon	Not specified. Elections are conducted mostly by mail. Employees or volunteers are involved in processing mail ballots, but the state does not employ poll workers.	Not specified.	Not specified.	Not specified.
Pennsylvania	Yes. Pa. Stat. tit. 25, §2627	17-year-olds may serve as poll workers. Pa. Stat. tit. 25, §2627(b)	Poll workers must reside in the district. Pa. Stat. tit. 25, §2627	One poll worker must come from each of the two major parties. Pa. Stat. tit. 25, §2675
Puerto Rico	Not specified.	Not specified.	Poll workers must reside in the municipality. P.R. Code Ann. tit. 16 § 4564	There shall be at least one inspector and one secretary from each certified political party. P.R. Code Ann. tit. 16, § 4549
Rhode Island	Yes. R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-11-8	16-year-olds may serve as poll workers. R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-11-12.1	Poll workers must be residents of the city, town, representative or voting district in which they serve. R.I. Gen. Laws 17-11-12.1	Each pair of supervisors must be comprised of different political parties. R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-11-13
American Samoa	Yes. American Samoa Code Ann. § 6.0402 (b)(1)	Not specified.	Poll workers must be residents of the district, unless sufficient numbers can’t be found. American Samoa Code Ann. § 6.0402(b)(1)	Not specified.
South Carolina	Yes. S.C. Code Ann. § 7-13-110	16-year-olds may serve as poll workers. S.C. Code Ann. § 7-13-110	Poll workers must be a resident of the county or an adjoining county. S.C. Code Ann. § 7-13-110	At least one poll worker must be chosen from each party that submits nominations. S.C. Code Ann. § 7-13-72
South Dakota	Yes. S.D. Codified Laws Ann. § 12-15-2	No youth poll worker program. Students who are 18 may be excused from school to work as poll workers. S.D. Codified Laws § 13-27-6.1	Poll workers must be residents of the precinct. S.D. Codified Laws Ann 12-15-2	There shall be one poll worker present from each party that received 15% of the votes in the last gubernatorial election. S.D. Codified Laws § 12-15-3
Tennessee	Yes. Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-4-103	16-year-olds may serve as poll workers. Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-4-103(e)	Poll workers must be residents of the county but can be from other counties if necessary. Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-4-103(b)	No more than two 2 judges at a polling place can be of the same party. Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-4-104
Texas	Yes. Tex. Election Code Ann. § 32.051	16-year-olds may serve as poll workers. Tex. Election Code Ann. § 32.0511	Poll workers must reside in the precinct or county if there are no available judges for a precinct. Tex. Election Code Ann. § 32.051	The presiding judge and the alternate judge must be of different parties. The presiding judge must appoint two2 clerks of the parties that received the two highest votes in the last gubernatorial election. Tex. Election Code Ann. §32.002
U.S. Virgin Islands	Yes. V.I. Code Ann. tit. 18, § 152	Not specified.	Poll workers must reside in the district. V.I. Code Ann. tit. 18, § 152	No partisan distribution requirement for poll workers. V.I. Code Ann. tit. 18, § 151
Utah	Yes. Utah Code Ann. § 20A-5-601	16-year-olds may serve as poll workers. Utah Code Ann. § 20A-5-601 (3)(a)	Poll workers may be residents of the county, municipality or district. Utah Code Ann. § 20A-5-601(6)	Each set of three3 poll workers must have two2 from the party who cast the most votes for governor lieutenant governor, attorney general, state auditor, and state treasurer and one from the party who cast the second largest votes for each of those offices. Utah Code Ann. § 20A-5-601 (4)
Vermont	Yes. Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 17, § 2454(a)	16-year-olds may serve as poll workers. Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 17, § 2454(b)	Poll workers must reside in the municipality. Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 17, § 2454	The board shall attempt to appoint an equal number of people from each major political party. Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 17, § 2454(a)
Virginia	Yes. Va. Code § 24.2-115	High school students may serve as part of the local board’s election page program. Va. Code § 24.2-604.3	Poll workers must reside in the precinct, if possible, but must reside in the Commonwealth. Va. Code § 24.2-115	The representation of the two largest parties shall be equal at each precinct. Va. Code § 24.2-115
Washington	Not specified. Elections are conducted mostly by mail. Employees or volunteers are involved in processing mail ballots, but the state does not employ poll workers.	Not specified.	Not specified.	Not specified.
West Virginia	Yes. W. Va. Code § 3-1-28	16- and 17-year-olds may serve as election official trainees W. Va. Code § 3-1-29(a)(4)	Poll workers must reside in the county and municipality. W. Va. Code § 3-1-28	Poll worker teams must consist of two people, nominated by opposite parties. W. Va. Code § 3-1-29
Wisconsin	Yes. Wis. Stat. § 7.30	16-year-olds may serve as poll workers. Wis. Stat. § 7.30	Poll workers must reside in their county. Wis. Stat. § 7.30	The two2 dominant parties, under sub. (2), are each responsible for submitting a list of names from which all appointees to inspector position. Wis. Stat. § 7.30
Wyoming	Yes. Wyo. Stat. § 22-8-102	16-year-olds may serve as poll workers. Wyo. Stat. § 22-8-102	Poll workers must reside in the municipality. Wyo. Stat. § 22-8-101	Judges shall be divided between the participating political parties as equally as possible. Wyo. Stat. § 22-8-109

Can Poll Workers Work Part Time or in a Split Shift?

On Election Day, poll workers might start working before the sun rises to make sure everything is in place. When the last vote has been cast, the workers must conduct a thorough check of all voting materials to make sure everything is accounted for before cleaning up and packing out. This can be a 15-hour workday, which can pose a challenge for poll worker recruitment. With that in mind, at least 18 states allow workers to work part time or in a split shift: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin.

What Are State Poll Worker Training Requirements?

In 42 states, the District of Columbia and two territories, laws explicitly require training for poll workers. Some of these states require that only some poll workers at a polling place are trained, such as the supervisor or chief poll worker. Of the states that do not require training, most have provisions in state law encouraging training or requiring the state to develop materials that localities have the option to use.

Thirty-five states, two territories and the District of Columbia require all poll workers to undergo training before serving. Of these, about a third make explicit exceptions for poll workers filling last minute vacancies.

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Mississippi and South Carolina require only the chief poll worker or a certain number of poll workers at each site to be trained. Mississippi makes an exception for a poll worker who is filling a last-minute vacancy.

Alabama and Idaho require training for poll workers if voting machines or tabulators are used at the polling place but make exceptions for poll workers filling last minute vacancies.

Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Utah do not explicitly require training, but it may be provided by local jurisdictions.

How Much Do Poll Workers Get Paid?

Compensation for poll workers varies widely across the states. In most cases, the state sets the minimum wage or daily compensation for poll workers. Local jurisdictions can (and often do) pay more.

Twelve states have a minimum daily stipend of less than $100 per day:

Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee and Virginia.

Six states, two territories and the District of Columbia have a minimum daily stipend of $100 or more per day:

Alabama, District of Columbia, Guam, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma and the Virgin Islands.

Twelve states require poll workers to be paid the state or federal minimum wage per hour:

Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Texas and Wyoming.

In 16 states and one territory there is no minimum in state law, and compensation is determined by local election officials:

Alaska, American Samoa, California, Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

In some states, compensation varies by poll worker position. For example, in Alabama, a supervisor makes at least $150 per day, while a non-supervisor poll worker makes at least $125 per day. Some states also cover various expenses. For example, in Oklahoma, precinct officials assigned to work at a polling place more than 10 miles from their home are allowed mileage reimbursement at the rate provided by the State Travel Reimbursement Act (Okla. Stat. Ann. § 2-129).

Are Poll Workers Allowed to Serve as Unpaid Volunteers?

In some states, poll workers can opt out of receiving compensation and work as volunteers. Some states require that youth poll workers work as volunteers.

Poll workers may serve as volunteers in Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, Virginia and Wisconsin.

In Alabama and Arkansas, all youth poll workers serve on a volunteer basis.

Table Two: Poll Worker Shifts, Training Requirements, Compensation and Volunteer Eligibility

State	Shift/Part Time Work	Training Requirements	Pay	Unpaid Volunteer Positions
Alabama	Workers (except the inspector) may work six-hour shifts. Ala. Code § 17-8-1(c)	Training is mandatory to serve in an election in which an electronic voting machine is used. Ala. Code § 17-8-9.	Base compensation of $50 from the county. Additional compensation from the state so that total compensation is at least $125 per day for clerks and $150 per day for inspectors. Additional $25 per day for workers who complete a local election school or are certified as a qualified precinct election official by the probate judge. Ala. Code § 17-8-12.	Student intern poll workers serve as unpaid volunteers. Ala. Code § 17-8-14.
Alaska	Not specified.	Training required. Alaska Stat. § 15.10.1407.	Poll workers are paid. Election directors set compensation rates. Alaska Stat. § 15.15.380.	Youth Vote Ambassadors may undertake some volunteer activities. Alaska Stat. § 15.10.108
Arizona	Not specified.	Inspectors, judges (Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 16-532(A)) and youth poll workers (Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 16-531(F)) must receive training.	Board of supervisors determines compensation to be paid by county. Pay must not be less than $30 per day. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 16-536. Certified workers may receive additional compensation. Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 16-532(D).	Not specified.
Arkansas	Workers may work half day shifts. Ark. Stat. Ann. § 7-4-107(c).	Training required. Ark. Stat. Ann. § 7-4-109(e).	At least the federal minimum wage. Ark. Stat. Ann. § 7-4-112(a).	Poll workers may serve as volunteers. Ark. Stat. Ann. § 7-4-112(c). Student election pages serve as volunteers. Ark. Stat. Ann. §§ 7-4-116, -117.
California	Not specified.	Training required. Cal. Elec. Code §12309.5.	Compensation determined by local officials. Cal. Elec. Code §12310.	Not specified.
Colorado	Not specified.	Training required. Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-6-101.	The governing body calling the election determines compensation. Workers must be paid at least $5. Colo. Rev. Stat. § 1-6-115.	Not specified.
Connecticut	Voting tabulators and official checkers may work in two shifts. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 9-258a.	Training required. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 9-229(b).	Compensation determined by local election officials. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 9-235(d), Connecticut Secretary of State – Poll Worker Information	Election officials may serve as unpaid poll workers. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 9-235c.
Delaware	No. Delaware Elections - Working at the Polls	Training required. 15 Del. Code Ann. §4741	Election Day compensation varies by position, and poll workers also receive $15 per day for any day they work other than Election Day. $25 for any training session other than the required session. 15 Del. Code Ann. §4707	Not specified.
District of Columbia	Early Voting workers may work in split shifts. Election Day workers may not. District of Columbia Board of Elections – Election Workers	Training required. D.C. Code Ann. § 1-1001.05(E)(4)(A)	Board of Elections determines compensation. D.C. Code Ann. § 1-1001.05(e)(4)(A) Early Voting workers receive $100 per shift. Election Day workers receive up to $300. Pay varies by position. District of Columbia Board of Elections – Election Workers	Not specified.
Florida	No. Fla. Stat. § 102.012(4)	Training required. Fla. Stat. § 102.014	Compensation determined by County Supervisor of Elections. Fla. Stat. § 102.021(1)	Not specified.
Georgia	Not specified.	Training required. Ga. Code Ann. § 21-2-99	Compensation is determined by the county. Minimum compensation in counties with a population of 200,000 or more is $60 to $95 depending on position. Ga. Code Ann. § 21-2-98	Yes. Ga. Code Ann. § 21-2-98
Guam	Not specified.	Training required. Guam Code Ann. tit. 3, § 4105	Poll workers receive $350 per election. Guam Code Ann. tit. 3, § 4104	Not specified.
Hawaii	Not specified. Elections are conducted mostly by mail. Employees or volunteers are involved in processing mail ballots, but the state does not employ poll workers.	Not specified.	Not specified.	Not specified.
Idaho	Not specified.	Training required when voting machines are used. Idaho Code § 34-2413.	Compensation is determined by the board of county commissioners. Must be no less than the state minimum wage. Idaho Code § 34-303(2)	No.
Illinois	Not specified.	At least one poll worker in each precinct from each of the two major parties must complete training. 10 Ill. Comp. Stat. § 5/13-3; 10 Ill. Comp. Stat. § 5/14-5.	Compensation is determined by county officials. Minimum required amounts vary by county size and type of election, ranging from $35 to $60 per day. 10 Ill. Comp. Stat. § 5/13-10; § 5/14-9	Not specified.
Indiana	Poll workers may work a half day shift. Ind. Code § 3-6-6-10	Training required for at least some poll workers. Ind. Code § 3-6-6-40	Compensation determined by county executive. Ind. Code § 3-6-6-25.	Not specified.
Iowa	Not specified.	At least two poll workers per precinct must attend training. Iowa Code § 49.124	Compensation determined by the county board of supervisors. Compensation shall not be less than minimum wage. Iowa Code § 49.20	Not specified.
Kansas	Not specified.	Training required. Kan. Stat. Ann. § 25-2806.	Compensation determined by the board of county commissioners. Poll workers in places where voting machines are not in use must be paid at least $3 per hour. Poll workers in places where voting machines are used must be paid at least $40 per day. Supervising judges receive some additional pay. Kan. Stat. Ann. § 25-2811	Poll workers may decline to accept compensation. Kan. Stat. Ann. § 25-2811
Kentucky	Not specified.	Training required. Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 117.187(2)	At least $60 per day. County board of elections may provide additional compensation. Additional compensation available for various extra duties, mileage, etc. Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 117.045.	Not specified.
Louisiana	Not specified.	Training required. La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 18:424(B)(4)	Compensation varies by position from $35 - $350. La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 18:426.1(A)	Not specified.
Maine	Not specified.	Municipalities are encouraged to provide training every two years. Me. Rev. Stat. T. 21-A, § 505-(7-A)	Poll workers are entitled to reasonable compensation determined by the municipal officers. Me. Rev. Stat. T. 21- A, § 503-A(1)	Some volunteer positions (Maine Election Worker Recruitment)
Maryland	Poll workers may work half a day. Md. Elec Law Code Ann. § 10-202(e)	Training required. Md. Elec Law Code Ann. § 10-206(a)	For each election judge who has not previously served as an election judge, the compensation for each Election Day and each early voting day actually served shall be at least $250 per day. Md. Elec Law Code Ann § 10-205 (3)(i)	No.
Massachusetts	16- and 17-year-olds may not work more than the number of hours permitted for minors. Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 54, § 11B	N/A	Compensation will be determined by the city council or the selectmen. Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 54, § 22	Not specified.
Michigan	Not specified.	Training required. Mich. Comp. Laws §§ 168.683; 168.677(3)	Poll workers must receive reasonable compensation determined by the township board, county board of commissioners, or the legislative body of any city. Mich. Comp. Laws § 168.682	Not specified.
Minnesota	An election judge may serve for all or part of election day. Minn. Stat. § 204B.22(1)(b)	Training required. Minn. Stat. § 204B.25(3)	Compensation is fixed by the local appointing authority. At least minimum wage is required, although volunteers can choose to serve unpaid. Minn. Stat. § 204B.31(1)(4)	Yes. Minn. Stat. §§ 204B.31(1)(4)
Mississippi	Not specified.	Training required. Miss. Code Ann. § 23-15-239(1)	Poll managers receive $125.00, although the board of supervisors can increase pay to a total of $200 at their discretion. Miss. Code Ann. § 23-15-227	Not specified.
Missouri	Election judges may be employed to serve for the first half or last half of any election day. Mo. Rev. Stat. § 115.081(5)	Training required. Mo. Rev. Stat. § 115.103	Compensation is set by the election authority. Mo. Rev. Stat. § 115.101	Not specified.
Montana	Poll workers may work less than one full day. Mont. Code Ann. § 13-4-207	Training required. Mont. Code Ann. § 13-4-102(5)	Paid at least federal or state minimum wage, whichever is greater. Mont. Code Ann. § 13-4-106(1)	Not specified.
Nebraska	Poll workers may work part-time or full-time. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 32-223(2)	Training required. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 32-228(1); § 32-235(2)	For counties without election commissioners: at least minimum wage, but the county clerk determines the pay rate. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 32-233	Not specified.
Nevada	Not specified.	Training required. Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 293B.260	The compensation must be fixed by county or city ordinance, resolution or order. Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 293.460	Not specified.
New Hampshire	Not specified	Training required. N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 652:22	Not specified.	Not specified.
New Jersey	Poll workers may work split shifts. N.J. Stat. Ann. § 19:6-9.1	Training required. N.J. Stat. Ann. § 19:50-1	Compensation is $300 for any primary election, the general election or any special election. N.J. Stat. Ann. § 19:45-6	Not specified.
New Mexico	Not specified.	Training required. N.M. Stat. Ann. § 1-2-7	Poll workers must be paid at least the federal minimum wage but not more than $400 per day. N.M. Stat. Ann. § 1-2-16	Not specified.
New York	Poll workers may work split shifts. N.Y. Election Law § 3-401	Training required. N.Y. Election Law § 3-410	Inspectors shall not be paid less than $100 and coordinators not less than $200. N.Y. Election Law § 3-420	Not specified.
North Carolina	Chief judges must serve full day shifts, precinct assistants may serve half-day shifts. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 163-42	Training required. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 163-46	Poll workers must be paid the state minimum wage. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 163-46	Not specified.
North Dakota	Part-time poll workers are permitted if all polling places in the county are adequately staffed. N.D. Cent. Code § 16.1-05-01	Training required. N.D. Cent. Code § 16.1-05-03	Poll workers must be paid at least the state minimum wage. N.D. Cent. Code § 16.1-05-05	Not specified.
N. Mariana Islands	No specified.	Training required. C.N.M.I. Code Ann. tit. 1, §6109	Not specified.	Not specified.
Ohio	Not specified.	Training required. Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 3501.27	Poll workers must receive at least minimum wage, but not more than $95 per diem. Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 3501.28	Not specified.
Oklahoma	Not specified.	Training required. Okla. Stat. tit. 26, § 3-109	Starting July 1, 2024, Inspectors are to be paid $225. Judges are to be paid $200. Mileage reimbursement is permitted in some cases. Okla. Stat. tit. 26, § 3-129	Poll workers may serve as unpaid volunteers. Okla. Stat. tit. 26, § 3-129
Oregon	Not specified. Elections are conducted mostly by mail. Employees or volunteers are involved in processing mail ballots, but the state does not employ poll workers.	Not specified.	Not specified.	Not specified.
Pennsylvania	Poll workers may work half day shifts. Pa. Stat. tit. 25, § 2682.2(b)	Voluntary poll worker training is available. Pa. Stat. tit. 25, § 2621	Compensation is determined by the county board of elections and cannot be less than $75 per day or more than $200 per day. Pa. Stat. tit. 25, § 2682.2	Not specified.
Puerto Rico	Not specified.	Not specified.	Not specified.	Poll workers must serve as volunteers. P.R. Code Ann. tit. 16, § 4527
Rhode Island	Poll workers may work half-days for half pay. R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-11-13(d)	Training required. R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-7-5	Poll workers must be paid at least $60 per day, though cities and towns can pay more. R.I. Gen. Laws § 17-11-13(c), § 17-19-23.2	Not specified.
American Samoa	Not specified.	Training required. American Samoa Code Ann. § 6.0403(c)	Compensation is determined by the Chief Election Officer. American Samoa Code Ann. § 6.0406	Not specified.
South Carolina	Not specified.	Managers must complete training. S.C. Code Ann. § 7-13-72	Compensation is determined by the annual state general appropriations act. S.C. Code Ann. § 7-23-10	Not specified.
South Dakota	Poll workers must work for the entire shift. S.D. Codified Laws § 12-18-1.4	Training required. S.D. Codified Laws § 12-15-7	Compensation is determined by the county board of commissioners. S.D. Codified Laws § 12-15-11	Not specified.
Tennessee	Not specified.	Training required. Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-4-108	Poll workers must be paid $10 for training and at least $50 per day. Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-4-109, § 2-4- 108	Not specified.
Texas	Clerks may work different lengths of shifts. Tex. Election Code Ann. § 32.027	Secretary of sState adopts standards of training in election law and procedure for presiding or alternate election judges. Standards may include required attendance at appropriate training programs or the passage of an examination at the end of a training program. Election clerks shall complete the training portion relation to the acceptance and handling of voter identification. Tex. Election Code Ann. § 32.111	Poll workers must be paid at least the federal minimum wage per hour. Tex. Election Code Ann. §2.091	Not specified.
U.S. Virgin Islands	Not specified.	Not specified.	Judges $250; inspectors $225; clerks $200; voting machine monitors $200. V.I. Code Ann. tit. 18, § 158	Not specified.
Utah	Not specified.	Not specified at state level, though local jurisdictions may provide training.	Compensation is determined by the county clerk. Utah Code Ann. § 20A-5-601(10)	Not specified.
Vermont	Not specified.	Required for presiding election officers. Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 17, § 2457	Compensation is determined by a local legislative body.	Not specified.
Virginia	Poll workers may be assigned to full or part time shifts. Va. Code § 24.2-115.1	Training required. Va. Code § 24.2-115.1	Each election worker is paid $75 for a full day. Va. Code § 24.2-116	Poll workers may choose to serve as unpaid volunteers. Va. Code § 24.2-116
Washington	Not specified. Elections are conducted mostly by mail. Employees or volunteers are involved in processing mail ballots, but the state does not employ poll workers.	Not specified.	Not specified.	Not specified.
West Virginia	Poll workers can work full day or half day shifts. W. Va. Code § 3-1-30	Training required. W. Va. Code § 3-1-46	Compensation is determined by the county commission. W. Va. Code § 3-1-44	Not specified.
Wisconsin	Morning or afternoon shift	Training required. Wis. Stat. § 7.315	Compensation is determined by the county board of supervisors, municipal governing body, or municipal board of election commissioner. Wis. Stat. § 7.03	Poll workers may serve as volunteers. Wis. Stat. § 7.03
Wyoming	Not specified.	Training required. Wyo. Stat. § 22-8-113	The board of county commissioners determines compensation. Compensation must not be less than the state minimum wage. Wyo. Stat. § 22-8-116	Not specified.