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.cityofboston.gov/elections.
Submitting an application does not guarantee an assignment.
City of Boston Election Department
1 City Hall Square – Room 241 Boston, MA 02201
Phone (617) 635-3767
Fax (617) 635-4483