Election jobs

The role

Poll clerks assist the presiding officer in the conduct of the ballot in the polling station. Together, they make up the polling station team.

They must ensure that voters are able to cast their vote in secret, free from influence and in a calm atmosphere.

As a poll clerk, you will be expected to arrive at your designated polling station by 6:30am to ensure it is operational by 7:00am. The polling station will remain open until 10:00pm.

You will be expected to remain on the premises for the duration of the poll and provide your own refreshments. 

Poll clerks must:

• Not be employed by or on behalf of a candidate in or about the election (paid or otherwise) 
• Be eligible to work in the UK
• Agree to the requirements of secrecy
• Conduct themselves professionally and impartially before and during polling day

Duties

Overall

• Comply with any instructions from the Returning Officer
• Ensure that all electors are treated impartially and with respect
• Maintain the secrecy of the ballot at all times

Before polling day

• Complete a mandatory training session

Polling day

• Set up the polling station – this may involve some lifting to erect polling booths and move furniture
• Keep the polling station neat and tidy
• Check and mark electors’ electoral numbers in the register of electors and on the corresponding numbers lists
• Issue ballot papers to voters
• Ensure voters cast their votes in secret and put them into the (correct) ballot box
• Follow instructions as given by the Presiding Officer

Close of poll

• Help to dismantle the polling station and ensure the building is returned to good order

Pay

Final rates of pay will be confirmed in your appointment letter.

If you are allocated to a polling station administering multiple polls at the same time, you will receive a 20% uplift to reflect the added complexity.

All election fees are subject to tax on a pay as you earn (PAYE) basis, but are exempt from National Insurance contributions

How to apply

You can apply for an election job at any time of the year. We will add all applicants to our staff database and you will be contacted for your availability when we begin staffing for our next election.

The next scheduled election will take place on 6 May 2027.

If you would like to be added to the database for future elections, please complete the form below.

Apply for an election job

Alternatively, request a form from us: contact Electoral Services

Usually, in the run-up to an election, we will write to everyone already listed on our staff database and ask them to indicate their availability. If you are already on our staffing database, you don’t need to apply again. 

Last updated: 16/06/2025 16:01