Election Workers
Join our Election Day Team by submitting an application:
DO YOU WANT TO SERVE YOUR COMMUNITY, MEET NEW PEOPLE, AND EARN SOME MONEY?
Become a part of our wonder team of dedicated Election Workers!
More than 130 citizens in Okeechobee County serve as Election Workers for the Supervisor of Elections to ensure that fair and accurate elections are conducted. On Election Day, we count on these civic-minded individuals to efficiently process voters, provide instructions on the proper use of voting equipment, and effectively solve potential problems that voters may encounter. It’s a great day to serve your community and feel Proud to be an American.
Election workers are selected and appointed by the Supervisor of Elections. Each precinct has an election team, which includes a Clerk, Precinct Deputy, Ballot Box Inspector, Ballot Issuing Inspector, and several EViD Operators.
Requirements to be an election worker:
- Be a registered or pre-registered voter in Okeechobee County.
- Provide a Social Security number, which will be required prior to employment and used solely for the purpose of payroll eligibility.
- Be able to read, write and communicate in English
- Attend the required training class(es) prior to each election pursuant to F.S. 102.014(1), and demonstrate understanding of Election Laws and Election Worker responsibilities.
- Not be a candidate, or the immediate family member of a candidate, on the ballot of the election that you are working.
- Be able to arrive at the assigned polling place by 6:00 a.m. and remain at the polling place throughout the entire day of the election.
- Be computer literate and provide an active email account.
- Be customer service oriented.
- Be able to lift 15-50 lbs.
- Serve all voters promptly, courteously, efficiently, and with sensitivity to voters with special needs.
- Willing to work as a precinct team member as requested by the Clerk including, but not limited to, the set-up / break down of the precinct and the moving / assembling of voting equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
Do I get paid for being an Election Worker?
Yes, after being selected to work in an election, Election Workers are paid for training. Florida Law requires that all Election Workers attend a minimum of 2 hours of training before each election. More training may be required, based on your assigned position. Election Day pay varies, depending on the position assigned, if you have any inquiries concerning our current election worker pay rates, please call the office. (Please note: you will only be paid for training if you actually work on Election Day).
What are the work hours on Election Day?
Florida law requires that all Election Workers report to their assigned precinct by 6:00 a.m. to prepare the polling place for voting by setting up the voting equipment, voting booths, signs, and supplies. Parking spaces adjacent to polling places should be left for voters. Everyone should come prepared for the entire day, bringing lunch, supper and any other necessities such as medicine, etc. Everyone must remain in the polling place during the day. The only exceptions to this requirement are for eating, using the restrooms, outside smoking breaks, if permitted, and only with the Clerk's permission. However, Election Workers are provided with scheduled breaks and a lunch period. Personal cell phones are not to be used in the polling room. The polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. At 7:00 p.m., or whenever the last voter in line at 7:00 p.m. has voted, Election Workers will close the polls and perform post-election responsibilities which includes packing up. No one is released until all election board tasks are completed and the Clerk authorizes the dismissal, usually around 8:00 p.m. Election Day is very long and will require patience and constant attention to your duties. If the polling hours are extended due to Court or Executive Order, the Clerk will be notified of the mandatory extended time. All Election Workers are required to stay until the final closing.
What are the Election Worker positions?
Please note that the positions listed indicate an overview of the responsibilities performed. Additional knowledge, skills, and abilities may be applicable for individual positions.
Deputy |
1. Post and remove all necessary signs and is stationed outside the polling
place.
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2. Enforce no solicitation within 150’ of polling entrance, maintain order and
assist voters outside polling place.
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3. Greet voters as they enter the polling place and suggest that they have their
photo and signature identification available as they enter the polling room.
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4. Provide accessibility for all voters.
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5. Have the ability to sustain long periods of sitting and/or standing outside
throughout the voting day.
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Equipment Operator |
1. Be stationed at the Ballot Box to instruct voters on how to use the voting
equipment.
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2. Assist in troubleshooting the voting equipment.
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3. Collect privacy folders from voters who have cast their ballot. Hand out “I
Voted” stickers.
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4. Must be comfortable working with electronic equipment. |
Ballot Inspector |
1. Have the ability to follow instructions and written procedures to correctly
process voters through precinct registers, ballots, and voting equipment.
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2. Maintain proper ballot accountability; receive voting pass from voters and
ensure the voter receives their specific ballot.
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3. Provide instructions to voters on the proper way to mark their ballot. |
EViD Inspector (Electronic Voter Identification System) |
1. Set up and shut down assigned EViD equipment.
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2. Greet and instruct voters on the voting process and ensure they have
proper ID.
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3. Process voters at check-in through an electronic poll book.
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4. Ensure that each voter signs the signature pad and is issued a voting pass.
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5. Direct voters requiring additional assistance to the Clerk. |
Clerk |
1. Must have prior working knowledge as an inspector and EViD Operator.
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2. Manage all operations at the polling place in accordance with Florida law.
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3. Perform the opening and closing procedures; oversee the voting process;
ensure order is maintained.
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4. Confirm election worker availability to work and attends mandatory training
classes.
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5. Pick up and return specific election supplies.
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6. Visit assigned polling place the day before election to ensure general supplies
have been delivered.
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7. Be responsible for the set up and shut down of assigned voting equipment.
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8. Work at the Clerks Table during Election Day; communicates with SOE office
to resolve voter eligibility issues.
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9. Transmit election results by modem election night as required.
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10. Must be comfortable working with electronic equipment. |