Read the following Q&A to find out more about being a Poll Worker (NASH COUNTY VOTERS ONLY).

Q: WHO WORKS AT THE POLLS ON ELECTION DAY?
A: On Election Day, each voting site in Nash County is staffed with Poll Workers. Poll Workers consist of three Judges (Precinct Officials) and Assistants.

Q: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN JUDGES AND ASSISTANTS? 
A: By law, Judges who work at the polls on Election Day are recommended by the two major political parties, and are appointed by the County Board of Elections. Judges are appointed on odd-numbered years and serve two years in their positions. Each of the 24 precincts in Nash County will have one Chief Judge, who in most cases is from the same party as the Governor, and two additional Precinct Judges, who in most cases, will each represent one of the two major political parties. The Chief Judge will serve as the person in charge at each precinct and the other two Precinct Judges will be in charge in the Chief Judge’s absence. All three Judges are responsible for running the Election within their assigned precinct. Assistants, on the other hand, work at the polls to assist the Judges in serving the voters during the elections process by performing specific duties on Election Day. The number of Assistants used on Election Day at each precinct will depend on both the size of the precinct and on the expected voter turnout for that particular election. Assistants are either recommended by their respective party to the Board of Elections Office, or they are recruited directly by the Board of Elections Office after completing an application.

Q: WHAT ARE THE DUTIES OF CHIEF JUDGES?
A: The Chief Judges have primary responsibility for the elections process within their assigned precincts. Chief Judges contact the polling sites to make arrangements for setting up and conducting each election. The Chief Judges also contact the two Precinct Judges and Assistants to confirm their availability to work prior to each election, and to schedule planning and set-up meetings at the polling sites. The day before the Election, Chief Judges pick up voting supplies from the Board of Elections, and on Election night, they are responsible for returning the supplies back to the office. On Election Day, Chief Judges oversee their assigned polling place and they are responsible for all job assignments, all ballot inventories, and the resolution of any problems that may arise.

Q: WHAT ARE THE DUTIES OF THE PRECINCT JUDGES?
A: The Precinct Judges at each precinct are responsible for working closely with the Chief Judges to ensure a successful Election. They are responsible for conducting the Election in the Chief Judge’s absence. They must sign all official documents, and serve on a panel to resolve any challenges. Precinct Judges will be assigned specific duties to perform on Election Day to serve the voters. Precinct Judges will assist Chief Judges with election set-up and with closing the precincts, including counting the votes and securing the building.

Q: WHAT ARE THE DUTIES OF ASSISTANTS?
A: Assistants serve as team players at their assigned precincts. They will be assigned a specific job to perform on Election Day, but should be flexible to fill in for other Assistants in their respective jobs if needed. They must be able to work from 13-14 hours on Election Day, or be willing to share a shift with another assistant. On Election Day, if Assistants leave the polling site before the polls close, they are not allowed re-entry to the site. In most cases, persons will have served as an Assistant before becoming a Judge.

Q: HOW MUCH TRAINING IS REQUIRED TO BECOME A POLL WORKER?  
A: The Nash County Board of Elections requires all Poll Workers to attend training sessions conducted by the County Elections Office prior to each major primary and general election. Training is conducted the month prior to the election, and workers are notified by mail of the exact dates. Chief Judges are required to attend a separate training specifically for Chief Judges that will last from three to five hours. The Chief Judge are issued a manual at the training session, and are expected to read and understand the manual thoroughly. During training sessions, all Poll Workers will receive training that is specific to the upcoming election. Everyone who is present for training will be paid for attending the sessions.

Q: WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR BECOMING A POLL WORKER?
A: Any person appointed to any of these positions must be a registered voter in Nash County and be of good moral character. In addition, they should be able to read and write accurately, follow directions, work at a fast past, lift up to 25 pounds, and have excellent customer service skills. It is preferable, but not required, that Poll Workers have some type of computer experience.

Q: WHO MAY NOT SERVE AS A POLL WORKER?
A: No person who is the wife, husband, mother, father, son, daughter, brother, or sister of any candidate for nomination or election may serve during any primary or election in which such candidate participates. No person who is the wife, husband, mother, father, son, daughter, brother or sister of a Poll Worker may serve in the same precinct. No person who is actively working on a candidate's campaign or actively working for a Party would be allowed to serve as a Poll Worker during that election cycle.

Q: CAN THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS REMOVE POLL WORKERS?
A: The Board of Elections may remove any Poll Worker for misbehavior, neglect of duty, or insubordination toward the precinct’s Chief Judge.

Q: WHEN ARE ELECTIONS HELD AND WHEN ARE THE POLLS OPEN? 
A: Elections are always held on Tuesdays. All polls are open from 6:30 am until 7:30 pm. On the day before the election, Poll Workers must help set up the precinct, receive final instructions concerning their job responsibilities, and check voting machines. On Election Day, Poll Workers must be at the voting site by 6:00 am, and must remain there until all votes have been counted and all necessary documents are signed.

Q: WHAT IS THE COMPENSATION FOR POLL WORKERS?  
A: Poll Workers are paid based on the job they perform on Election Day. Refer to the table below:

*Chief Judges receive an additional $50 plus mileage to pick-up and drop-off supplies to the board office.
**Precinct Judges get an additional $20 for their Judge responsibilities.
***Pay rates are subject to change.