Working on elections
Have you ever thought of getting involved at election time by working at a polling station or at the count? Our Elections Team is always looking to recruit motivated and dynamic staff to fill any vacancies that occur, and would love to hear from you if you're interested in becoming involved.
We do use a number of our own staff in the first instance and supplement this with additional staff from outside who we hold on our database of temporary staff. We then consider the person's experience; availability; preferences; where they live or whether they have access to a car and are prepared to travel.
Whilst we will follow the principles of equality of opportunity and good employment practices, the Returning Officer's decision on individual appointments is final and we will not normally notify unsuccessful applicants or enter into correspondence regarding unsuccessful applications.
What do I need to provide?
You must be at least 18 years of age to work in a polling station or at the election count or to assist with the annual canvass. You must also be entitled to work in the UK (in accordance with the provisions of the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996).
If successful, prior to taking up your appointment, you must provide evidence of your eligibility to work in the UK by showing us either:
- Your valid passport, or
- Your birth certificate and proof of national insurance number (such as P60, P45, payslip, etc.)
- Polling and count staff must not work on behalf of a candidate during an election campaign, nor be related to a prospective candidate
- Polling and count staff must consent to working in excess of the normal working hours provided for by the working time directive
Have you got what it takes to join us?
A brief description of the jobs that may become available is as follows:
Presiding Officers and Poll Clerks
Polling station staff are appointed by the Returning Officer, and are responsible for the conduct of the ballot, making sure that the proper procedures for voting are followed. Each polling station is managed by a Presiding Officer and one or more Poll Clerks are appointed to work under the Presiding officer’s direction. On the day of the election, polling station staff must be on duty from 6:30am until shortly after 10pm. All staff employed to work at a polling station must undertake training before taking up their appointment.
Counting assistants
Counting assistants are employed to verify and count the votes cast at polling stations, together with the postal votes received in the run-up to polling day. Counting usually takes place at Wodson Park Leisure Centre in Ware, starting immediately after the polls close (10pm on polling day) and continuing overnight and sometimes resuming the following morning.
Vacancies & how to apply
If you are interested in any of the positions, please email election.staff@eastherts.gov.uk
