POLL WORKERS

PUBLIC NOTICE: BECOME A POLL WORKER

The Habersham County Office of Elections and Voter Registration is responsible for planning and organizing all elections and voter related activities. Each member of the staff is proud to be part of an exceptional team that works together to ensure that every vote counts.

We need dedicated individuals who also take pride in their work, who take direction well, and are detail oriented. We seek workers who are patient and enjoy working with the public.

Poll Workers are not volunteers. They are compensated per election depending on the positions they fill. Poll Workers perform a valuable community service by efficiently processing voters, providing instructions on the proper use of the voting equipment, and effectively solving problems voters may encounter.

QUALIFICATIONS:

You must be a U.S. Citizen, a resident of Habersham County and/or an employee of Habersham County Governments (documentation required)
A registered Voter
16 years of age or older
Able to read, write and speak the English Language
Must have completed any sentence(s) imposed for any prior felony conviction(s) at least 3 years ago
Must not be eligible to run for public office and cannot hold a public office, other than a political party office, while serving as a poll worker.
Must not be a parent, spouse, child, brother, sister, father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law or a candidate to work as a poll worker in any precinct where that candidate is listed on the ballot
Must have access to a computer to complete possible on-line training, and correspond via email with Elections Office staff, supervisor and co-workers.
Must be able to attend required in person training classes prior to elections
Must be able to lift at least 15lbs and a maximum of 46lbs
Must be capable of conducting fair and unbiased efficient elections for qualified voters of Habersham County

ELECTION DAY POLL WORKERS AT THE POLLING LOCATIONS:

At the polling locations on Election Days, shifts are approximately 14 hours. Election Day Poll Workers must report to assigned polling location by 6:00am Election Day and remain until all voters have left and closing procedures are completed. They cannot leave the polling location during an Election Day. Breaks are provided throughout the day including a meal break.

Poll Worker Responsibilities:

Poll Workers report to the Poll Managers. They must be accessible to the Poll Manager and Elections Office staff. They may serve as an Assistant Poll Manager in the event of an emergency. Their duties are to be assigned by the Poll Manager.
On the Monday prior to the Election they may be required to assist setting up the polling location.
On Election Day, after the last person in line at the close of polls of at 7:00pm they assist the Managerial staff in paperwork preparation, and packing of paperwork and equipment to be returned to the Elections Office. Poll Workers may leave when the Poll Manager has dismissed them after the closing procedures have been completed as required by the Poll Manager.
Poll Workers who receive in person training on how to issue ballots, must be prepared to assume Assistant Management responsibilities, at the request of the Election Office staff or in the event that the Assistant Manager is unavailable to work on Election Day.

Assistant Poll Manager Responsibilities:

Assistant Poll Managers assume all responsibility for the operations and management of the polling location in the event that the Poll Manager is absent. They must be accessible to the Poll Manager and Elections Office staff. They assist the Poll Manager as directed.
On Election Day they assist the Poll Manager to ensure that problems or questions are handled in an efficient and orderly manner. After voting has ended after the close of polls, they assist the Poll Manager with reporting, packing and, if needed, transporting paperwork and equipment back to the Elections Office to be checked in.
The Assistant Poll Manager must be prepared to assume Poll Management responsibilities, at the request of the Elections Office staff or in the event the Poll Manager is unavailable to work Election Day.

Poll Manager Responsibilities:

Poll Managers must have reliable transportation capable of carrying supplies needed for an election.
They must be accessible to the Elections Office staff, as they serve as the Chief Election Official at their assigned polling location.
They assist in the coordination and arrangements for the setup of the polling location prior to the polls opening. The Poll Manager picks up and returns election supplies as specified by the Elections Office.
They ensure no Poll Worker leaves the polling location while the poll is open.
The Poll Manager is required to pick up election supplies from the Elections Office the Monday prior to the election. Once the polls have closed and voting is completed Poll Managers must select one other Poll Worker to transport paperwork and election supplies back to the Elections Office to be checked in.

PRE-ELECTION AND EARLY/ADVANCE VOTING ELECTION POLL WORKERS

A variety of job opportunities are available in the Elections Office prior to Election Day, on Election Day and Election Night these jobs may include some or all of the responsibilities listed below.

Pre-Election and Early/Advance Voting Election Poll Workers Responsibilities:

They receive and process all Absentee Ballot applications, and process the delivery of Absentee Ballots.
They handle all aspects of Early/Advanced from the moment the voter arrives at the Early/Advance Voting Location until the voter has cast their ballot. They process voters upon check-in and issue Voter Access Cards.
They handle and assign supplies to polling locations for Early/Advance Voting Locations and Election Day polling locations. They assist in the preparation of election paperwork for polling locations.
They assist in the receiving of supplies returned by the Poll Managers of multiple polling locations after the close of polls on Election Night. They perform other duties as assigned by the Elections Office staff on Election Day.

TRAINING:

To learn more about what it means to be a Poll Worker visit the Office of the Secretary of State Brian P. Kemp Poll Worker Training Resource Website by clicking the link below.

http://georgiapollworkers.sos.ga.gov/Pages/default.aspx

Additional training classes are provided by the Habersham County Office of Elections and Voter Registration prior to each primary and general election on the use of voting equipment, procedures and specific duties.

HOW TO APPLY:

The application may be downloaded by clicking here.

You will need to print and complete the application, then return it to our office in person or by mail. For additional information or questions you can email imartin@habershamga.com , or call the office 706-839-0170.