• Job Title: Poll Clerk
• Job Type: Administrative

Description of duties 

The role of the polling station staff is to ensure that voters are able to cast their vote in secret, free from influence, and in a calm atmosphere.

Polling Stations are open from 7.00 a.m. until 10.00 p.m. On polling day, staff are required to arrive at the polling station sufficiently early to set up the equipment in time for opening. In order to maintain the secrecy of the vote and safeguard the integrity of the process, staff should not leave the premises during polling hours.

Poll Clerks assist the Presiding Officer in the conduct of the ballot in the polling stations.

The Role:

To assist the Presiding Officer in carrying out the following:

• To comply with any instructions from the Presiding Officer and/or Returning Officer.
• To ensure that voter identification is asked for and checked before ballot papers are issued in line with Elections Act 2022.
• To ensure that all electors are treated impartially and with respect.
• Support disabled voters throughout the voting process if required.
• Maintaining the secrecy of the ballot.

Duties

Before Election Day

Undertake and/or attend training sessions and briefings provided by the Electoral Services office.

On Election Day

Help the Presiding Officer to carry out the following:

• Erect polling booths. This involves some lifting.
• Prepare the polling station for the opening of poll, whilst maintaining a clean environment.
• Ensure electors understand the new voter identification requirements, including what constitutes an acceptable form of ID.
• Ensure electors are able to present their ID in private when requested.
• Check and mark electors’ electoral numbers in the register of electors and on the corresponding numbers lists. Issue ballot papers to voters.

Close of Poll

Help in the dismantling of the polling station and tidying of the building itself.

Additional details

Hours / days required: Polling day 6.30am – 10.15pm approx.

Based at: Any polling station within the area.

• You will be required to sign the Working Time Directive waiver for period of employment.
• You must provide your own refreshments and take appropriate breaks throughout the day to avoid tiredness. Polling station staff are not permitted to leave the premises during hours of poll.
• The Returning Officer is not permitted to employ anyone who is/or has carried out duties on behalf of any political party or candidate at the election.
• You must also refrain from signing any candidate’s nomination papers for this election or standing as a candidate themselves.
• All staff will be required to sign their agreement to maintain the secrecy of the poll.

Person specification

Knowledge

We desire (but do not require) a working knowledge of the electoral process.

Skills and abilities 

• Ability to carry out work as instructed, even under pressure.
• We also desire (but do not require) any experience working at a polling station.

Other essentials 

• Ability to remain politically neutral. 
• Good timekeeping.
• Able to travel to your polling station at the required times.
• You must not have been convicted of an offence under Electoral Legislation.
• We desire the act of diplomacy and tactness when working with the public, but we do not require this.