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Important News

Vote-by-mail requests are currently being accepted

Paul Donnelly / Friday, February 10, 2023 0 0 Article rating: No rating

If you made a vote-by-mail (absentee) request prior to the November 8, 2022 General Election, it has expired. Requesting mail ballots through the end of 2024 only takes a few moments. Learn more and submit a new request.

Your signature is important

Paul Donnelly / Sunday, January 1, 2023 0 0 Article rating: No rating

Your signature is used to check vote-by-mail ballots, petitions and other election-related documents that require a valid voter signature. Learn more.

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JOIN OUR TEAM

The Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections employs more than 750 workers for early voting and election day. Our poll workers are active voters who serve their community with pride. They are trained to provide quality customer service and to resolve any challenges that may arise. All poll workers must meet basic requirements. If you would like to join our team, please read through the following information carefully.

Requirements

To be a poll worker, one must:

be a registered voter of Sarasota County (or be at least 16 years of age and pre-registered to vote).
read, write and speak English.
be able to sit or stand for long periods.
be able to arrive and start work at 6:00 a.m. on election day and work until after the polls close at 7 p.m. (this could be a 14+ hour day).
be able to lift up to 40 pounds with another poll worker.
have an email address and access to a computer and the internet.
successfully complete all assigned in-person and online training and assessments prior to each election.
remain nonpartisan and non-political while at the polls.
refrain from any comments or discussion concerning a voter, a voter’s party preference, candidates and issues while working at the polls.
dress in business casual attire.
treat everyone with dignity and respect.
understand that you may not be assigned to work each election or assigned to the same precinct or position for each election.

Training

Poll workers are required by law to complete online and in-person training prior to each election. For more information, call 941.861.8640.

Poll workers are paid a total of $175 to $300 per election (based on position). A poll worker must successfully complete training and work at the poll to receive compensation.

Positions

All poll workers must complete the required training and work at their assigned polling places on election day from 6:00 a.m. until the last voter has voted, closing procedures have been completed, and they are dismissed by the clerk. Some poll workers will also help set up their assigned polling places the day before the election.

The clerk oversees the polling place and staff. He/she is responsible for ensuring election law is followed at the precinct on election day. The clerk opens and closes the polls and is responsible for delivering election supplies to the precinct and returning them to the elections office at the end of election day. The clerk and assistant clerk communicate with the elections office to resolve voter issues.

The assistant clerk assists the clerk, assumes responsibility for the polling place if the clerk is unavailable, helps to oversee the polling room operation, performs voting system opening and closing procedures with the clerk, and may also act as an inspector to assist voters.

The inspector sets up the electronic poll books and registration table, processes voters, issues ballots, instructs the voter on how to cast the ballot and ensures that the ballot is accepted by the ballot scanner/tabulator.

The deputy maintains order outside the polling place and, with the clerk, designates and ensures compliance with the no solicitation zone, ensures that the polling room is accessible to all voters and issues “I Voted” stickers.

How to Apply

To complete the application process:
Step 1. Fill out the application form below. Current high school students, click here to apply. Check your email for verification of receipt of the application.
Step 2. Go to one of the three elections offices located in North Port, Venice or Sarasota. to:

a. Present your original signed Social Security card and Florida Driver license for payroll and employment verification purposes.
b. Complete an Employment Eligibility Verification (I-9).

To print and complete Section 1 of the I-9 Form prior to arriving at our office, click here. Office staff will assist with I-9 Form completion if needed. When presented with both forms of identification, our staff will make copies of the documents for your poll worker file. Once your file is complete, you will receive a welcome email from us.

Please complete this application and click CONTINUE to apply for a position as an Election Worker. If you have any trouble with your electronic request, please call our office for assistance, Thank you.

Fields marked with a red asterisk are required.

First Name

Middle Name or Initial

Last Name

Florida Voter Registration Number (if known)

Phone Number

Street Address

City

Zip Code

Your Home Precinct

E-mail Address

Please specify what position you are interested in serving as

What is your current/last occupation?

Please check all that apply

I am a citizen of the United States and a resident of this county.

I am able to speak, read, and write the English language.

I have my own transportation.

I am able to lift at least 40 pounds.

I am able to start work at 6:00 a.m. and work 14 or more hours per day.

I am comfortable working with a personal computer system.

Other than English, please specify other languages you know

By clicking on the Continue button below, I certify that the foregoing answers are true, that I have read and understand the foregoing, that I have no physical disabilities that would hinder my performance at the polls, that I am now a registered voter in this County and I can read and write the English language as required by Florida State Law.

Please note: After completing this application and the orientation process, you will become part of our pool of prospective poll workers. Your name will remain active until you request that it be removed. Not all poll workers work every election. The number of poll workers for each election is determined by the size of the election and the expected turnout. Poll workers are chosen to work a specific election by their availability, willingness to travel, and the number of workers needed. While we like to keep an election board constant throughout an election cycle, this often cannot be done.