• Become a Poll Worker!
• Who Can Be a Poll Worker?
• Inspectors
• Clerks
• Additional Information
• Poll Worker Programs
• Training and Resources

Being a poll worker is a great way to serve your community, take an active role in democracy, and become part of the dedicated team working to make the election process easy and accessible to everyone.

Poll workers who work at a polling place are volunteers who are provided a stipend of $175 (for Inspectors) and $135 (for Clerks) for the day. Each polling place has a Precinct Board comprised of one Inspector and two to four Clerks.

Bilingual poll workers receive an additional stipend of $25, and must be fluent in English and one of the following languages: Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese or Khmer.

To Be a Poll Worker, you must meet the following criteria:

• Be a registered voter in Sonoma County or a permanent legal resident of the United States (permanent legal residents may work as Clerks only)
• Be a high school student who is at least 16 years old (see Student Precinct Officer Program)
• Be able to follow written and verbal instruction
• Be available to serve Election Day from approximately 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM ("split shifts" may be arranged; contact the Registrar of Voters Office for details)
• Be able to complete the tasks as described in the Inspector or Clerk job duties (see below)

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Inspectors are "lead" poll workers in the polling place. They are responsible for learning and completing Election Day procedures and for obtaining all supplies and ballots. Due to the tasks assigned, Inspectors must have reliable transportation with adequate space to accommodate Election Day supplies and equipment; Inspectors are reimbursed for mileage. Inspector duties include the following:

• Attend a training class (approximately two hours) to receive election training, and pick up Election Day supplies and ballots
• Check supplies and confirm receipt of all materials needed to conduct the election
• Contact all members of the precinct board to confirm their participation on Election Day
• Contact the polling place to ensure access to the facility on Election Day
• Assign tasks to Clerks, including all duties required in setting up and closing the polling place; negotiate and schedule meal breaks with precinct board members
• Transport all supplies and ballots to the "Return Center" on election night, accompanied by one Clerk
• Perform more complex tasks including issuing provisional ballots or utilizing the Accessible Voting Devices

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Clerks are "line workers" in the polling place. In addition to helping set up and close the polling place, Clerks are assigned duties that help voters to receive and cast their ballots. Clerk duties include the following:

• Complete assignments as directed by the Inspector including, but not limited to the following: locate voter names on rosters; obtain voter signatures; provide simple instruction to voters; issue, receive, and deposit ballots; set up and clean up polling place
• Review information on Election Day procedures
• Assist Inspector in "covering" tasks during meal breaks
• Accompany Inspector to Return Center to transport all supplies and ballots on Election Night (if requested; only one Clerk is required)
• Act in Inspector's absence, as needed

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For more information or to volunteer, please contact the Registrar of Voters Office or request information by email to rov-polls@sonoma-county.org.

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• County Employee Poll Worker Program
• Student Precinct Officer Program

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• Poll Worker Training Information and Resources
• Preparing for an Election
• During an Election
• After an Election

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