Become a Poll Worker

The City of River Falls encourages all citizens to vote and to become involved in the election process. One of the most rewarding ways to become involved is to serve in your community as a poll worker or "Election Inspector" as the position is formally called.

Citizen Involvement

Citizen involvement is essential in conducting open, accurate, and fair elections. We hope that you will consider participating in the election process by signing up to be a poll worker. the City Clerk's Office requires the assistance of Poll Workers to serve as Election Inspectors, Chief Election Inspectors, and Special Voting Deputies.

Generally, the polling places are staffed with a total of 35 election inspectors. For a presidential election, an additional 20 to 25 poll workers are needed. To help you make an informed decision before applying for the position, please review the following information:

Duties

Duties included but are not limited to issuing ballots to registered voters, registering voters, monitoring the voting equipment, explaining how to mark the ballot or use the voting equipment or counting votes. Poll workers are appointed to two-year terms so you will be asked to make a minimum two-year commitment. However, committing to one election cycle (Primary/General) is also appreciated. The City Clerk’s Office provides training prior to every election.

High school students are encouraged to work as election inspectors. A student who is 16 or 17 years of age and who is enrolled in grades 9-12 in a public or private high school and has at least a 3.0 GPA may serve as an election inspector. The municipal clerk must receive written authorization from the student's parent or guardian and school principal for the student to serve at the presidential election

Hours & Compensation

Polling places are open statewide from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Poll workers can work a full day which generally runs from 6:30 a.m. until approximately 9 p.m. or later in the case of November elections. The City of River Falls allows election inspectors to work split shifts. Please indicate that information on your application. Election inspectors are compensated for working at the polling place and for attending training sessions. Current pay for Election Inspectors/Special Voting Deputies is $13.00 per hour and Chief Election Inspectors receive $15.00 per hour.

Qualifications

To be a poll worker, a person must:

  • Be a qualified elector of the county in which the polling place is established (i.e., an adult citizen of the United States who has resided in the election district for 28 days and is not otherwise disqualified to vote)
  • Be able to speak, read, and write fluently in the English language
  • Have strong clerical skills
  • Be able to solve problems
  • Have strong attention to detail
  • Be an effective communicator
  • Not be a candidate for any office to be voted on at the polling place at that election.

Links

Wisconsin Election Commision

Questions regarding elections can be directed to Jackie Hanson, Deputy City Clerk, by phone 715-426-3448 or email or Amy White, Community Services Director/Clerk, by 715-426-3408 or email.