Poll Workers
"Being a poll worker is a fun and interesting way to meet people. I've been doing it for 27 years. There's a very real sense of pride you get from helping the election system work smoothly."
– Sandra Coleman, Alameda County Resident
"I was interested in the voting process, and I wanted to be more actively involved. Being a poll worker makes it easy to participate in our democratic process. It's an important civic duty."
– Robert Warwick, Alameda County Resident
"It was great working the polls. I really felt like I was a part of the whole election process and that I was doing something important."
– Leslie Wong, Skyline High School Student
"I've been involved in elections at school and was really excited to be able to be part of a government election. I think I'm helping others to get involved, even if it's only casting their vote, by telling them that I work at the polls."
– Michael Hammond, Encinal High School Student
Poll Workers are the backbone of our election system.
It's an enjoyable and rewarding way to be part of our free democratic process.
- Contribute to your community by helping run an election.
- Help safeguard our election process.
- We'll provide a training class and a stipend.
- You'll earn between $95 and $180 for the day.
This great opportunity is available to:
- Registered voters in Alameda County
- Alameda County employees
- High school students 16 years of age or older through the Student Poll Worker Program.*
- If you'd like to participate, simply fill out and return the registration form.
We'd love to have you as part of the team.
Poll Worker Positions & Duties
Inspector - Supervises polling place operations; attends training class; picks up supplies; sets up/takes down polling place; delivers all supplies to an assigned Return Center.
Judge - Attends training class, assists Inspector with duties; may accompany Inspector to Return Center.
Clerk - Attends training class, assists Inspector with duties; may accompany Inspector to Return Center.
How to Apply for a Poll Worker Position
To become a poll worker, simply fill out an application.
To apply online, click the following link: Online Application Form
To apply by mail, download the Mail-in Application Form** and send the completed application to:
Registrar of Voters - Recruiting Section
1225 Fallon St. Room G-1
Oakland, CA 94612
For more information, phone 510-272-6971
*ATTENTION HIGH SCHOOL SOPHOMORES, JUNIORS AND SENIORS: Through the Student Poll Worker Program, California law allows high school sophomores, juniors and seniors to work as election officers on election day. You must be 16 by the time of the election, a United States citizen, and a student in good standing with your school earning at least a 2.5 grade point average on a scale of 4.0. If you are interested in working at the polls in an election, please call 510-272-6971 for more information or send in an application.
** Portable Document Format (PDF) file requires the free Adobe Reader.