This news item expired on Tuesday, May 17, 2022 so the information below could be outdated or incorrect.
Looking for a way to get involved in your community, support the democratic process, and also make some money? Buncombe County Election Services is looking for poll workers to help with Early Voting (April 28-May 14, 2022) and the Primary Election Day on Tuesday, May 17.
Perks of Working the Polls:
- Meaningful work
- No prior experience needed
- Part-time and full-time options
- Paid training
- Great atmosphere
- Build highly transferrable skills
- Temporary setting
- Doesn’t impact unemployment benefits (Per Session Law 2020-71, any person that is receiving unemployment may work as a poll worker without any effect on their unemployment benefits)
- Opportunities for students, people looking for supplemental incomes, and retirees with flexible schedules
“Our poll workers are the backbone of safe and fair elections,” said Corinne Duncan, Director of Elections. “Without them, we wouldn’t be able to offer our Buncombe County voters the best experience at the polls, regardless of if they vote early or on Election Day.”
Through the Student Assistant Program, students who will be at least 17 years old by Primary Election Day can work as assistants. Use the Student Election Assistant Application.
To be eligible you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- A registered voter of Buncombe County
- Able to lift 35 pounds
- Be comfortable using a laptop to look up voter information
- Able to sit and stand for long periods of time while greeting voters
- Unaffiliated voters may be considered as well
Early Voting: During Early Voting, each location is staffed with a Captain and a team of workers. Captains make $14/hour and workers make $12/hour. Working during Early Voting requires a minimum commitment of 17 days, including weekend shifts and mandatory paid training. The captain carries the most responsibility with duties including voting location access, site setup/take down, task delegation, reconciliation, equipment troubleshooting, and voting process/election law familiarity.
For more information about working Early Voting, contact Gretchen Kull at (828) 250-4213.
Election Day: Each of our 80 precincts is staffed with three judges and a number of assistants. Judges make $210-260 and assistants make $175. This is a lump sum payment and includes payment to attend the mandatory four-hour training session. Everyone is required to work the entire Primary Election Day on May 17, which typically runs from 6 a.m-9 p.m. Precincts are located throughout the County, and we do our best to assign you to a precinct near where you live.
For more information about working on Election Day, contact Karen Rae at (828) 250-4224.
COVID-19 Protocols
Buncombe County will follow the latest public health guidance to ensure everyone can participate in a safe and secure election.