Become an Election Worker

The integrity of American Elections relies on the thousands and thousands of precincts that aggregate our votes. While this prevents mass tampering with totals, this also requires poll workers to follow important rules and work long days. With the pandemic, it is even more vital to include young people in the process. Much of this website is direct from the Louisiana Secretary of State page. Any comments I’ve included, like this one, are italicized.

Top Five Reasons to Be a Poll Worker

  • You’ll work side by side with your neighbors and meet new people.
  • You’ll play a vital role in the democratic process.
  • Your community needs you. Louisiana must recruit thousands of poll workers this year for elections to run smoothly.
  • It’s a great opportunity to help people, serve your community and have fun doing it.

And the number one reason to be a poll worker…

  • You can get paid to do a good thing!

Get Paid to Serve Your Community

If you enjoy spending time with your neighbors and meeting new people, sign up to be a poll worker today!

Louisiana has been fortunate to have dedicated election poll workers who have served for years; however, we must recruit and train thousands of poll workers across the state every election year and you can help! Your local election officials can teach you everything you need to know to do the job.

You just need to meet a few requirements to be selected. You must:

  • be a registered voter in Louisiana;
  • be able to perform the essential duties of a commissioner as described in the Informational Pamphlet;
  • attend a course of instruction; and
  • not be a candidate in the election.

In addition, you may serve if you are at least 17 years of age and a high school senior, or if you are registered to vote in another state and are a student at an institution of higher learning. Trained poll workers can earn up to $200 an election, or $250 an election when serving in an administrative capacity. The job isn’t complicated, and anyone who has worked at the polls will tell you it’s one of the most rewarding ways you can help your community. Your community will thank you!

It’s as easy as 1-2-3!

1. You’ll attend a short training class to learn how to be a poll worker. Then, you’re ready to go to work.

2 . On Election Day, you’ll help set up the polling place before your friends and neighbors arrive to vote.

3.  Finally, you’ll check voters in at the polling place and allow them to cast their votes. Once the day is done, you and your fellow poll workers will close the polling place.

Apply today to pitch in at the polls!

To become a qualified poll commissioner, contact your parish clerk of court to enroll in a commissioner training school or print and complete the Poll Commissioner Application and send it to your parish Clerk of Court’s Office, or to the address below:

Secretary of State
Elections Division
Election Poll Worker Application
P.O. Box 94125
Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9125
225.922.1167 fax

My comment: In Orleans Parish, the Clerk of the Court is located at the famous Orleans Parish Criminal Court.


Hon. Arthur A. Morrell, Crim.Dist.Ct.
2700 Tulane Ave., Rm. 114 New Orleans, LA 7011
504-658-9000 aamorrell@nola.gov

Election Day Training Video

My comment: If you’re curious about what it takes to be a poll worker, read the informational pamphlet here or watch the following videos.

View the series of videos below for use by clerks of court and commissioners.

2019 Election Day Training Video Part 1: Introduction
2019 Election Day Training Video Part 2: Verification
2019 Election Day Training Video Part 3: Pre-election Set Up
2019 Election Day Training Video Part 4: Election Day Voting
2019 Election Day Training Video Part 5: Closing the Polls
2019 Election Day Training Video Part 6: Provisional Voting

The Oath and Acknowledgement

My comment: These best explain what the work is all about.

OATH
I, ____________ do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution and
Laws of the United States and the Constitution and Laws of this state and that I will faithfully and
impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent upon me as commissioner (-in-charge)
according to the best of my ability and understanding, so help me God.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I, _____________ acknowledge that state law prohibits the disclosure of confidential
voter information listed in the precinct register, which includes a voter’s day and month of birth,
mother’s maiden name, and if the voter is entitled to assistance in voting.

My final comment: It’s an early and long day for poll workers, but I think they order pizza for themselves on election day. The foundation of our democracy relies on the poll worker’s hard work and full stomach.