Boston
Election Department Recruiting Poll Workers for Upcoming Elections
(Boston, March 29, 2013) The Boston Election Department is
recruiting Poll Workers for the important work of staffing the
City’s 254 precincts for all upcoming Elections in 2013. Special
Elections for the US Senate, the First Suffolk Senatorial District,
and the Eighth Suffolk Representative District will all take place
this spring, and have placed a burden on the existing pool of Poll
Workers, many of whom take days off from their regular jobs to
serve. The dates for the Special Elections are April 30, May 28, and
June 25.
In order to guide voters through the electoral process smoothly and
speedily and to ensure that all the polling locations are adequately
staffed, the Election Department requires a full complement of Poll
Workers. There is also a critical need for bilingual individuals to
serve in all the Poll Worker roles: Wardens, Clerks, and Inspectors.
Bilingual speakers of Spanish, Cape Verdean, Vietnamese, Chinese,
Haitian Creole, Russian, Portuguese, and Somali are strongly
encouraged to apply.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited, to the following:
assist with preparing the voting location for opening; hang signs in
accordance with legal requirements; count ballots; check in voters;
maintain a record of the Election Day’s activities; provide
assistance to voters with disabilities, assist in removing signage;
pack up election materials; and help check counts at the end of the
day.
There are stipends ranging from $135-$175 for Poll Workers. While it
is encouraged that all Poll Workers be available from 6AM to the
closing of the polls (9PM), those workers serving as Inspectors or
Interpreters may opt for a half-day shift: 6AM to 2PM or 1PM to 9PM
(prorated pay rate of $9/hour). All first –time Poll Workers must
attend a mandatory 2-hour training session prior to the Elections.
Poll Workers must be registered voters in the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts. Preference will be given to those applicants who have
a strong voter history. All Poll Workers must exhibit a professional
and helpful demeanor, and must be respectful and mindful of the
ethnic and cultural diversity of Boston’s voters.
For an application or more information, please contact 617-635-4491
or email: election@cityofboston.gov. Applications can also be
printed out from our website: www.cityofbostonlgov/elections.
