Poll Worker Information

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 Vote Center are volunteers who are provided a stipend of:

• $160 for Clerks on Early Voting Days
• $250 for Clerks on Election Day
• $240 for Inspectors on Early Voting Days
• $360 for Inspectors on Election Day

Each Vote Center has a Poll Worker Board comprised of one to two Inspectors and three to eight Clerks.

Bilingual Poll Workers receive an additional stipend of $25 on Early Voting Days and $40 on Election Day, and must be fluent in English and one of the following languages:

• Khmer
• Spanish
• Tagalog
• Vietnamese

For more information, please contact the Registrar of Voters Office at  rov-polls@sonoma-county.org. 

• 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 on Election Day from approximately 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM and/or on Early Voting Days from approximately 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
• Be able to complete the tasks as described in the Inspector or Clerk job duties (see below)

Inspectors are "lead" Poll Workers in the Vote Center. They are responsible for learning and completing election procedures and for obtaining all supplies and ballots. Due to the tasks assigned, Inspectors must have reliable transportation with adequate space to accommodate election supplies and equipment (Inspectors are reimbursed for mileage). Inspector duties include the following:

• Watch online training videos
• Attend an in-person training class (approximately two hours) to receive hands-on training and pick up election supplies
• Check supplies and confirm receipt of all materials needed to conduct the election
• Contact all members of the Poll Worker Board to confirm their participation on Election Day and/or Early Voting Days.
• 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 Vote Center; negotiate and schedule meal breaks with Poll Worker Board members
• Transport all supplies and ballots to the "Return Center" on Election Night and/or Early Voting Nights
• Perform more complex tasks, including issuing provisional ballots or utilizing the Accessible Voting Devices

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

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

• County Employee Poll Worker Program
• Student Precinct Officer Program