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​e-Poll Book Training Video

 


The following duties for each of the positions are to be viewed as a guide or suggestion, as the division of responsibilities will vary from one Election District to another.

 

Judge of Election

  • This is an elected position that runs every 4 years.  If a vacancy occurs, the Board of Elections will appoint someone.  If a vacancy exists on or during Election Day, notify the Bureau of Registration and Elections immediately.
  • Paid $200, plus $50 for attending training session, plus mileage for return of election supplies (measured from the polling place to the drop-off zone).
  • Must pick up election supplies before the Election.
  • Contacts Inspectors and other Election workers prior to Election Day to ensure availability and finds replacements, if necessary.
  • Contact the polling place prior to Election Day to secure entry on Election Day and ensures tables/chairs are set up.
  • Must arrive at the polls by 6AM to prepare polls for prompt 7:00 AM opening to the voters.
  • In charge of the polling site on Election Day and assign duties of the day.
  • Take lead in opening supply cage, setting up and closing voting systems.
  • Oversee and prepare reports at the end of the day.
  • Process all paperwork to be returned to Bureau or Zone that election night.
  • May not go home on Election night until all paperwork, supplies and both thumb drives from each voting machines are delivered to the Election Office or Zone.

 

Majority & Minority Inspectors

  • This is an elected position that runs every 4 years.  If a vacancy occurs, the Board of Elections will appoint someone, with the input of the Judge of Election.
  • Paid $175 for the day, plus $50 for attending training session.
  • Must arrive at the polls between 6:00 AM and 6:30 AM to assist in preparing polls for prompt 7:00 AM opening to the voters.
  • Check the voters in at the poll books.
  • Perform other duties as assigned by the Judge of Election.
  • Help close voting system and prepare results reports at the end of the day.
  • The Minority Inspector * keeps Envelope B, which holds a set of the election returns, for at least one year.
  • May not go home on Election night until all paperwork, supplies and both thumb drives from each scanner are delivered to the Election Office or Zone.


Clerks

  • If clerks are needed, these positions are appointed: one clerk is appointed by the Judge of Election; and one appointed by the Minority Inspector. 
  • Paid $175 for the day, plus $50 for attending training session.
  • Must arrive at the polls at time designated by Judge of Election (usually between 6:00 AM and 6:30 AM) to assist in preparing polls for prompt 7:00 AM opening to the voters.
  • Perform duties as assigned by Judge of Election.  In large precincts, this may include maintaining the Numbered List of Voters, one of the alphabetical groupings of the Poll Books or checking the names of voters arriving at the polls to ensure the voter is at the correct polling place. 
  • Verify voter is in the correct election district.  If not, either notify the Judge or assist them in identifying the proper polling place.
  • Help close voting system and prepare results reports at the end of the day.
  • May not go home until Judge dismisses you.

 

Machine Operators

  • If machine operators are needed, these positions are appointed by the Judge of Election.
  • Paid $175 for the day, plus $50 for attending training session.
  • Must arrive at the polls at time designated by Judge of Election (usually between 6:00 AM and 6:30 AM) to assist in preparing polls for prompt 7:00 AM opening to the voters.
  • Perform duties as assigned by Judge of Election.  In large precincts, this work generally will be to ensure voters with ballots reach a privacy screen/booth, take their marked ballot to a scanner and then leave the polling place.
  • Help close voting system and prepare results reports at the end of the day.
  • May not go home until Judge dismisses you.

Student Poll Worker Program (Pennsylvania Election Code P.S. 2672)
  • County Board may appoint students, notwithstanding their eligiblity to vote, to serve as a clerk or machine operator pursuant to the following:
  1. County Board may appoint no more than two students per precinct.
  2. The Judge of Elections shall have direct supervision of the student.
  3. The county board may compensate the student.
  4. The county board shall comply with all applicable Federal and State laws.
  5. The student must be at the time of the election for which the student shall serve:
(i) be at least seventeen (17) years of age;
(ii) be a United States citizen and a resident of the County in which appointed to serve;
(iii) be enrolled in a secondary educational institution with an exemplary academic records as determined by the educational institution;
(iv) be approved by the principal or director of the secondary educational institution; and
(v) have obtained the consent of their parent or guardian.
  • The student may NOT serve as a Judge of Election, Majority, or Minority Inspector.

If interested, please submit the following form [DEADLINE to submit application is Friday, September 29, 2023]:
 GE23_Student Poll Worker Program_Application.pdf


Northampton County Election Division may be in need of precinct workers in your district on election day. If you are interested please email notification of interest to elections@norcopa.gov

 Q&A

--​ Who can be an election officer?

You are eligible if you: are registered to vote in Northampton County, available to work two days a year in spring and fall, enjoy meeting other people and serving the public, are detail oriented, able to follow instructions, are not easily distracted and have lived in your district for, at least, 30 days prior to the election.

​ May a Committee person serve as a polling place official?

Yes. For example, a person may be the Judge of Election and a Local Committee person. The person may not engage in any partisan political activities from 6:30 in the morning until the polls close.  On Election Day, the individual must fulfill his or her responsibilities as a member of the election board and must act in a strictly nonpartisan manner. Furthermore, that person may not "take breaks" to perform the various duties of Committee people (for example, gathering voters and campaigning for candidates).

When are election days? 

Primary elections are always held on the third Tuesday in the month of May, except during a presidential year, in which case the primary is held on the fourth Tuesday in the month of April.

General or Municipal elections are scheduled for the Tuesday following the first Monday in the month of November.

What are the hours worked?

Election officers must arrive at the polling place no later than 6:30 a.m. and must remain until the results have been tallied at the end of the day

What does an election officer do?

Election officers work at the polling place. The duties include: picking up supplies from our office, setting up the voting equipment, processing voters by checking names off lists and books, instructing voters on the process of voting, tallying results, closing polls and returning same to the county Voter Registration office. Judge of Elections must be able to return all the supplies from election day immediately after the close of the polls.

Is training provided?

All new Poll Workers are required to attend training provided by the voter registration office.

Are election officers paid?

  • The Judge of Elections receives $200 plus mileage
  • The minority inspector making returns w/the Judge of Elections receives $175
  • The majority inspector makes $175
  • Additional compensation for training    

How do I apply

Contact the Northampton County Voter Registration office at (610)829-6260 or email AHess@NorthamptonCounty.org

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