Serving as a poll worker is a paid opportunity to support your community, learn how elections actually work, and help ensure voters have a smooth, fair experience at the polls.

Poll workers are expected to work Election Day.

• Latest arrival: 6:00 a.m.

• End time: After polls close and the site is fully shut down (typically around 7:30 p.m.)

• Meals are not provided, so workers should plan accordingly.

• Poll workers should be able to sit or stand for extended periods and perform light physical tasks such as setting up equipment and signage.

 

What Poll Workers Do

Poll workers carry out assigned duties at polling locations during Early Voting and on Election Day. Responsibilities may include:

• Processing voters and checking eligibility

• Explaining how to properly mark a ballot

• Assisting voters with voting equipment

• Supporting vote closing and reconciliation procedures

• Some poll workers may be assigned to Early Voting, Election Day, or both, depending on availability and county needs.

 

Polling Location Assignments

Every effort is made to assign poll workers to their neighborhood voting site. That said, staffing needs vary, and workers must be willing to be flexible and serve at other locations within the county if needed.

 

Eligibility Requirements

 

To be a poll worker, a person must:

Be at least 16 years old
Be a registered voter in the county if 18 or older
Be able to read and write in the English language
Not be supervised by a county or municipal elected official on the ballot
Not be a candidate or close relative of a candidate. Close relatives are defined as the spouse, parent, father-in-law, mother-in-law, child, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandparent, grandchild, brother, sister, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, uncle, aunt, nephew, or niece of a candidate on the ballot or a write-in candidate

 

 

Training & Expectations

Poll workers receive classroom-style training along with visual workflows to follow on Election Day. You are not expected to memorize everything — the process is structured, documented, and supported.

Each polling location is staffed with a full team, including:

• Officer 

• Special Judge 

• Application Judge

• Registrars

• Ballot Technicians

• Machine Operator

 

 

In Maury County, we leave politics at the door and expect all poll workers to follow the same rules as voters while serving in this capacity - Poll workers may not wear political apparel, display campaign materials, or engage in political discussion while serving.

Poll workers are expected to focus on following defined procedures, treating voters respectfully, and maintaining the integrity of the process.

 

 

 

How to Apply

Click here to complete the Poll Worker Application or from the TN Secretary of State Website: https://pollworkers.govotetn.com/

 

 

Submission of an application does not guarantee appointment. Poll workers are appointed by the Election Commission based on statutory requirements and staffing needs.

 

 

Additional statewide guidance is available from the Tennessee Secretary of State.

 

 

Questions about poll worker service may be directed to the Maury County Election Commission.