Election Poll Worker
Role Overview & Training

• General Election: November 3, 2026
• Early Voting: October 15 – October 31, 2026

Training Training will be held in September — specific dates to be announced. Sessions are held at the Chatham County Election Offices, 964 East Street, Pittsboro, NC (64 East (past Food Lion, past the post office, on the right-hand side in a small strip of offices)). All three sessions are mandatory. Session 1: Poll Worker Information (~2 hours) Covers the rules voters and workers must follow, including: • Who is eligible to vote • No photography inside the polling place • Ballots cannot leave the premises — every sheet of paper must be accounted for • Emergency procedures: severe weather, agitated or disruptive voters, medical situations, etc.. • Overview of all roles: poll worker, judge, and chief judge responsibilities Session 2: Laptop / Help Desk Training Poll workers learn the computer system used to look up voters, verify voter eligibility, and confirm ballot information. Help desk procedures are also covered — the help desk handles issues, etc. that cannot be resolved at other stations (e.g., voter not found in system, incorrect information etc.). 2 of 5 AI generated report using Otter.ai and Claude.ai Session 3: Mock Polling Site A full room is set up to simulate an actual polling place with all six stations. Workers practice realistic scenarios to become comfortable with their duties before election day. Note: Basic computer proficiency is required. Workers should be comfortable navigating a system independently before attending laptop training. The Six Polling Stations Poll workers rotate among stations throughout their shift rather than staying at one station all day. 1. Greeter • Welcomes voters at the entrance • Reminds voters to have their ID ready • Displays sample ballots and answers general questions • Informs voters of current wait times • Points out accessible voting equipment 2. Check-In Station • Voters present their photo ID • Voters receive and sign their voting application (EVA or ATV) 3. Ballot Station • Poll worker prints the voter’s ballot • Handles spoiled ballots: if a voter makes an error and requests a new ballot, the spoiled ballot must be formally processed to maintain paper accountability 4. Exit Station (Ballot Box) 3 of 5 AI generated report using Otter.ai and Claude.ai • Poll worker ensures the ballot is inserted correctly into the machine • Maintains the privacy line so no one can see another voter’s choices • May assist voters who are physically unable to insert the ballot themselves • Cannot touch or view a voter’s ballot without explicit request 5. Help Desk • Resolves issues that cannot be handled at other stations (unregistered voters, incorrect information, etc.) • During Early Voting: can register new voters • On General Election Day: cannot register new voters • Processes provisional ballots 6. Curbside Station • Serves voters who cannot enter the building due to age, physical disability, or physical barriers • Poll workers go outside to collect the voter’s information, retrieves the correct ballot, brings it to the voter, and returns the completed ballot to the machine • At some polls, a baby monitor now watches the curbside parking area so workers can stay inside during bad weather and go out when a car arrives Note: A chief judge is present at the polling site to answer questions and resolve issues. Staffing & Shift Structure Typical Station Staffing (per shift) • Greeter: 1 person • Check-In: 2 people • Ballot Station: 2 people • Exit Station: 1person 4 of 5 AI generated report using Otter.ai and Claude.ai • Help Desk: 1–2 people • Curbside: 2 people • Chief Judge + additional judges: ~3 people Total: approximately 15 people per shift. Early Voting Shifts (Oct 15–Oct 31) • Monday–Friday: 8:00 AM – 1:30 PM or 1:30 PM – 7:30 PM • Saturdays & Sundays: approximately 6-hour shift (times vary) • Workers sign up for their preferred poll locations and shifts via email sign-up sheet General Election Day (November 3, 2026) • Polls open at 6:30 AM; workers must arrive by 5:45 AM for setup • Polls close at 7:30 PM; cleanup typically finishes by 8:30–9:00 PM (long day) • Half-day shifts are now available • Workers are also asked to come the day before to help set up Location note: The polling site for Election Day may differ from Early Voting locations. For example, the Gathering Place is used on Election Day but not for Early Votin. The closest early voting Poll for Galloway Ridge is the facility behind Food Lion on 15-501 at the community college. Additional Insight • No political discussion inside the polling place — this applies to conversations with voters and with fellow poll workers • Beverages are allowed but must be kept away from computers and ballots • Workers should be prepared to work continuously; breaks are informal (restroom as needed) • Bring snacks or a meal, especially for Election Day (it’s a long shift) 5 of 5