Information

Poll Worker Information

What is a Poll Worker

A poll worker is a temporary employee of the Supervisor of Elections office that is assigned to work at a polling location for an election. Poll workers have very important responsibilities that they are assigned to carry out on Election Day to ensure that each eligible voter is given an opportunity to exercise his or her right to vote.

The poll worker positions in Hernando County are as follows:

• Precinct Coordinator (PC)
• EVID Operator (EO)
• Voting Equipment Specialist (VES)
• Ballot Attendant (BA)
• Deputy (DEP)
• Substitute (SUB)

Physical Requirements

Physical requirements include:

• Standing
• Bending
• Stooping
• Lifiting approximately 35 lbs.
• Normal vision
• Manual / physical dexterity

Poll Worker Positions

The PC is responsible for the overall management of the polling place.

The PC has added responsibilities that include but are not limited to:

• Picking up secure election supplies
• Dropping off secure election supplies
• Contacting and visiting the polling place in advance
• Contacting poll workers

EVID Operator (EO)

The EO operates the EVID (Electronic Voter IDentification system.) The EVID is used to check voters in electronically and update a voter's information when necessary.

Voting Equipment Specialist (VES)

The VES performs the opening and closing procedures for the Accu-Vote and TSX, attends the ballot box all day, instructs voters how to insert the ballot into the Accu-Vote and encodes voter access cards when needed.

Ballot Attendant (BA)

The BA accepts the voting pass from the voter and issues the correct ballot to the voter according to the ballot style on the voting pass.

Deputy (DEP)

The DEP is on duty outside the polling place to assist voters and maintain order. 

Substitute (SUB)

The SUB serves in the capacity of a back up in the case of a sudden vacancy. A SUB only works on Election Day if assigned.

Poll Worker Compensation

Poll worker compensation is a flat rate that includes training and Election Day work. As a poll worker, if you are trained but do not show up to work on Election Day, you will not be compensated.

• Precinct Coordinator - $181.50
• Voting Equipment Specialist - $159.00
• EVID Operator - $149.00
• Ballot Attendant - $124.50
• Deputy - $121.75
• Substitute - A substitute will be compensated for the position worked on Election Day. If the substitute is not called to work on Election Day, the substitute will be paid minimum wage per hour for the training attended.

Poll Worker Training

Required Training

All poll workers are required to attend a mandatory training session prior to each election.

F.S. 102.014(1) The supervisor of elections shall conduct training for inspectors, clerks, and deputy sheriffs prior to each primary, general, and special election for the purpose of instructing such persons in their duties and responsibilities as election officials. The Division of Elections shall develop a statewide uniform training curriculum for poll workers, and each supervisor shall use such curriculum in training poll workers. A certificate may be issued by the supervisor of elections to each person completing such training. No person shall serve as an inspector, clerk, or deputy sheriff for an election unless such person has completed the training as required. A clerk may not work at the polls unless he or she demonstrates a working knowledge of the laws and procedures relating to voter registration, voting system operation, balloting and polling place procedures, and problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills.