How to Make Money As a Seasonal Election Employee

If you're interested in helping people cast their ballots and play a role in our democracy, consider becoming an election worker. These full- or part-time jobs are available year-round, and you can help ensure our nation's elections run smoothly.

Seasonal Election Workers are hired by government entities to perform election services for certain national, state and local elections. Compensation paid to these workers is included as income and may be subject to income tax and FICA taxes.

1. Work at Polling Places

Free and fair elections are essential to our democracy, and poll workers play a crucial role in safeguarding that right. They check voters in, explain the ballot and help voters process it through the machine.

With primary season and Election Day coming up, it’s important to make sure polling places have enough workers to keep the voting process moving smoothly. If you’re looking for a job that’s fun and rewarding, consider becoming a seasonal election employee.

Many jurisdictions offer a variety of full- or part-time positions in their local elections offices, from poll workers to registrars to moderators. These positions vary in responsibility and pay, but typically require a high school education, basic training, and English proficiency.

As a seasonal poll worker, you’ll get to participate in all aspects of the voting process. Depending on your position, you may help voters register to vote, prepare and deliver ballots, or check in people before they cast their ballots.

You may also provide assistance to voters with disabilities, including reading and writing issues. Under federal law, voters who are hard of hearing or have visual impairments may receive in-person assistance from someone of their choice if that person is not the voter’s employer, union, or agent.

In addition, many jurisdictions offer bilingual assistance to voters who speak certain languages, in addition to providing assistance in English. If you’re not sure if your county provides this service, ask.

If the poll worker can’t find your name in the poll book or cannot travel to the correct polling place, request a provisional ballot. Oftentimes, you’ll be given a paper ballot to mark and then a poll worker can verify that you’re registered to vote at the proper polling place later.

A reputable community group that works to improve the quality of life in a particular community can also encourage volunteers to become poll workers. For example, local youth programs and high schools can adopt a precinct and recruit students to serve in a voting booth on election day.

Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have strong relationships with college campuses across the country and can encourage students to work as poll workers. HBCUs also offer students a wide range of programs and activities to engage them in their communities.

2. Work at Voter Registration Offices

Each election season, state and local governments across the nation hire a bevy of workers to help with primary and general elections. One of the most popular jobs are the Seasonal Election Employees (SEEs), also known as poll workers, machine inspectors or voter service assistants, who are in charge of ensuring that each polling place runs smoothly from opening to closing.

The job duties include checking IDs, handing out paper ballots and answering phones. This is a great opportunity for people with computer and customer service skills who want to make a few extra bucks.

While there is no official salary for a seasonal election worker, many municipalities offer perks such as paid sick and vacation days, paid holidays, and health insurance. You may also be offered a pension. If you are looking for the best job for you, consider applying for a local government position.

There are a few things you need to know before you start. First, there are no formal qualifications to become an SEE, but you will need to be legally entitled to work in the United States and able to perform your job duties without fear of reprisal. You will also need to be able to pass a background check.

In the end, it's a simple matter of making sure you take the time to complete your paperwork and apply for a job. This is a crucial step in the process of becoming an SEE as it will allow you to take advantage of any benefits and perks that your employer offers.

3. Work at Polling Stations

As a Seasonal Election Employee, you will work at polling stations to help voters cast their ballots. These positions require strong customer service skills and the ability to complete tasks accurately within strict deadlines. In addition, you must be available for extended periods during the election cycle, including Election Day.

The responsibilities of a poll worker include ensuring that the polling station is open, checking voter identification, and providing guidance to voters who are confused about their voting rights. You must also ensure that your fellow poll workers are trained and qualified to carry out their duties.

To become a poll worker, you will need to fill out a job application and submit it to your local or state election office. Some states have special requirements, so be sure to read the rules carefully before applying.

In many jurisdictions, it is difficult to recruit enough poll workers for a single election. Moreover, a shortage of poll workers can lead to longer lines and potential health risks for the public. This can be especially a concern for elderly voters with weakened immune systems who are at risk of COVID-19.

A poll worker can be a valuable member of the community and an effective communication channel between government officials and the public. Nonprofit healthcare organizations could play a role by educating Americans about the importance of voting and promoting opportunities for people to volunteer as poll workers.

Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) may have a unique role to play in recruiting and retaining poll workers. These institutions are already leading the charge on civic engagement and partnering with student organizations to promote their efforts.

Another way to encourage young people to serve as poll workers is by offering them scholarships or a prize for top performance. This could give poll workers a sense of accomplishment, and it could provide them with an income stream during an election year.

If your organization has a strong volunteer program, consider encouraging members to serve as poll workers during this election. This would help to ensure that the public is able to exercise their right to vote without waiting in long lines or experiencing other potential consequences of a poll worker shortage.

4. Work at Voter Registration Offices

One of the best ways to make money during an election year is to work at voter registration offices as a Seasonal Election Employee. These positions are temporary, and pay an hourly rate for their services.

In many areas, election workers also have an opportunity to go above and beyond by training the polling staff and assisting voters with their ballots. This is particularly true for voters who are new to the electoral process or have never cast their vote before.

If you enjoy customer service and want to make a difference, working at voter registration offices is a great way to do it. You might even have the chance to take on more responsibility as your career progresses.

For example, you might be tasked with preparing and sending out voter mail packages, distributing voting supplies and answering phones. This can be a very rewarding job, but it also requires that you have good phone skills and a positive attitude.

Other duties might include coordinating the delivery of election supplies and making sure that all equipment is operational before polls open. Some of these tasks might be done remotely, while others are hands-on.

There are a lot of different types of jobs that can be found at voter registration offices, so you’ll need to check with your local election board or county clerk for details on which ones will be most profitable for you. In general, you’ll be paid more if you are responsible for a large number of voter registrations.

Another great way to earn a little extra cash is by volunteering for a local election. This is a great way to make a difference, and help the community at the same time.

You might even be able to find jobs that pay more than the minimum wage for your state or district, if you’re willing to put in the extra effort. For example, in Phoenix, you can even find a job as an IT Technician for Election Season, a job that pays $19 per hour.