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Poll Worker Information/Training
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Poll Worker Information
Have you ever considered serving as a poll worker?
If you have the following qualifications you would make an excellent poll worker!
P atriotic 
O rganized
L aw-abiding
L iterate
W illing
O ptimistic
R esponsive
K ind
E nergetic
R esourceful
Every two years the Buffalo County Election Office must appoint an election board to serve in each precinct on Election Day. A poll worker must be a Buffalo County registered voter and able to work on Election Day from approximately 7:00 a.m. to approximately 8:00 - 8:30 p.m. The appointment is for a two-year term and you will be expected to work at every election in that term. If an emergency comes up and you are not able to work, you will need to call the election office to be replaced.
Once appointed, even if you volunteer, poll workers have the same civil leave protection as those who serve on jury duty. Your employer must allow you the time to serve without threat of loss of personal or holiday pay, sick leave, loss of overtime pay, or any other form of penalty for absence from work when serving as an election official.
Should you decide to become a poll worker, you will be expected to attend a training class prior to the next election.
Election Hours - The inspector will inform you of the time you are required to report to the polling place (usually 7:00 a.m.). You may leave as soon as the work is finished after the polls close at 8:00 p.m.
Physical Requirements with or without accommodations
1. Good eye sight and hearing.
2. Able to sit from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
3. Inspectors must be able to lift up to 40 pounds.
Pay Scale - Election judges and clerks are paid $13 per hour and Inspectors are paid $14 per hour. Rural Inspectors picking up and returning election supplies will receive mileage at whatever the current IRS rate is at the time of the election.
Training - A training session is held prior to each Primary and General election. This is held approximately 1 week before the election date and lasts about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Poll workers will be given a manual at training and paid a set amount of $30 for attending the training. Payment will be made when your check is issued for working the election.
Inspectors - Inspectors are in charge of the polling place election day. They are responsible for supervising board members and informing the election office if any of the board members are not adequately performing their duties. Prior to each election, the Inspectors pick up the supplies, check the polling place, make sure all necessary arrangements are made for election day and call their board members to inform them of election day plans. Election supplies are returned by the inspectors to the Election Office as soon as the polls close.
If you have questions, please contact the Election Commission at 308-236-1233.
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