The U.S. election administration system is highly decentralized and run by state and local election officials across the nation. County or municipal officials are typically in charge of the nuts and bolts of running an election. Their duties range from maintaining voter rolls to securing voting equipment to recruiting and training poll workers. Poll workers are the reassuring face of America’s representative democracy for many voters. They are the first people voters see at the polls, and the ones who ensure their ballots are properly scanned and tabulated.
Every year, thousands of poll workers help ensure elections run smoothly. State legislators have a role in establishing consistent election processes within their states, including for many things related to poll workers and election officials. This toolkit provides information on various policies covering election officials as well as poll worker requirements, recruitment, training, retention and more.