Poll worker training
Poll workers are the face of the election and contribute to public confidence in the voting process. When we think of poll workers, we think of the election judges, booth workers, precinct officials, or board workers who serve in voting locations on Election Day or during early voting. This is one of four standards that define excellence in poll worker programs. This draft standard will be updated based on feedback from the election community.
Standard
Your election office delivers training that helps poll workers understand and conduct their responsibilities, equips them with the resources to find answers to their questions, and sets expectations of professionalism. To achieve this standard:
- You provide poll worker training that is convenient, offers poll workers opportunities to practice their responsibilities and demonstrate their comprehension through evaluation tools.
- You equip poll workers with up-to-date and easy-to-understand resources to help them carry out their responsibilities and quickly resolve situations in their voting location.
- You support poll workers with clear policies and communication that establish a voter-centric, non-partisan, and professional culture in voting locations.
Why this standard matters
It is important that we are explicit about the underlying why for each standard. While not attached to measurements, the intended impact of an election department achieving this standard is that:
- Poll workers will follow established processes and function efficiently.
- You will receive fewer questions from poll workers during elections, reduce confusion, and minimize poll worker errors.
- The public will interact with poll workers who are helpful, knowledgeable, and who build their confidence in the election process.
