Election roles

Rate of pay: £314.50

Travel: mileage paid at 0.45p per mile 

Training: £42.50

The role of the Polling Station staff is to provide an environment where voters can vote in secret and without being intimidated or influenced.

Purpose

Staff are required to arrive by 6.15am to set up the equipment in time for opening. Polling Stations open from 7.00 a.m. until 10.00 p.m.  In order to maintain the secrecy of the vote and safeguard the integrity of the process, staff are not allowed to leave the premises during polling hours.

You will be working a 16 hour day, so you must provide your own refreshments. There are no designated rest periods and refreshments can be taken at quieter parts of the day.

Presiding Officer

Presiding Officers is responsible for the conduct of the ballot in the Polling Stations and they must have a comprehensive knowledge of the voting procedures at national and local elections.

The Role:

• Comply with any instructions from the Returning Officer
• To manage the Polling Station
• To supervise the Poll Clerk(s) at the Polling Station
• To ensure the Polling Station is a Covid compliant environment
• To ensure that all electors are treated impartially and with respect.
• To maintain the secrecy of the ballot

Duties:

Before Election Day:

• Complete training sessions and briefings provided by the Electoral Services office
• Make contact with the designated key holder of your Polling Station well before polling day to confirm arrangements for key collection/opening and closing the building
• Visit the Polling Station nearer to the election to ensure polling day arrangements are in place
• In a multiple Polling Station, make contact with other Presiding Officer(s) and work in collaboration
• Make contact with Poll Clerk(s) to check travel arrangements to and from Polling Station and to brief Poll Clerks on the necessary procedures
• Collect the ballot box and contents before the poll and keep secure

Election Day

• Transport ballot box and contents to Polling Station.
• Erect polling booths. This involves some lifting.
• Organise the layout of the Polling Station taking all voter needs into account.
• Be aware of access issues at the Polling Station.
• Ensure that the Polling Station is Covid compliant
• Be responsible for health and safety at the Polling Station for all staff and visitors.
• Ensure the Polling Station is opened on time.
• Ensure that all signs and instructions are clear, visible and remain in place.
• Keep the Polling Station neat and tidy.
• Instruct and supervise the work of the Poll Clerk(s)
• Account for, and be responsible for, all ballot papers, issued and un-issued.
• Check and mark electors’ electoral numbers in the register of electors and on the corresponding numbers lists.
• Issue ballot papers to voters
• Ensure that voters cast their votes in secret and put them into the (correct) ballot box.
• Provide assistance to voters where appropriate
• Receive postal votes delivered by hand.
• Manage the attendance of those entitled to be present in the Polling Station, eg candidates, agents, representatives of the Electoral Commission and observers, and ensure they do not interfere with the voting process.
• Be polite and professional when dealing with all visitors to the Polling Station and remain impartial at all times.
• Monitor the activities of tellers outside polling places

 Close of Poll

• Ensure the Polling Station is closed on time.
• Supervise the dismantling of the Polling Station and ensure the building is returned to good order.
• Complete the ballot paper account(s) and associated paperwork; pack up documents in accordance with instructions given by Returning Officer
• Deliver the Ballot Box and associated paperwork to the Count location as designated by the Returning Officer.

Person Specification:

• To have previous experience as a Presiding Officer or Poll Clerk
• To have some supervisory skills and be able to communicate effectively to other members of the team and the public
• Have use of car
• To exercise tact and discretion when dealing with members of the public in difficult situations
• Must understand the value of teamwork, and own role as a team leader/member
• Experience of working with the public
• Able to work long hours
• Good interpersonal skills
• Able to work under pressure where attention to detail and absolute accuracy is essential
• Able to present and discuss information in a confident and customer friendly manner
• Is familiar with the basic requirements of personal safety

The Returning Officer is not permitted to employ anyone who is/or has carried out duties on behalf of any political party or candidate at the election.

All staff will be required to sign their agreement to maintain the secrecy of the poll.

If you want to apply, complete the elections online application form.

Apply for an election role