The standards support local election officials by explicitly naming the outcomes that lead to effective election operations and build trust with the public. They are designed by local election officials, designers, technologists and other experts to support local election departments. These standards are supported by resources to support achievement of the standards.

We invite members of the election community to review the poll worker standards and let us know what you think. Your feedback will shape the final poll worker standards. Plan to spend 15 min - 60 min completing the form depending on how many standards you want to provide feedback on.

We will accept feedback until January 26, 2024.

When we think of poll workers, we think of the people who serve in voting locations conducting election duties, including Election Day voting locations and early voting. Poll workers have different names across states such as election judges, booth workers, precinct officials, or board workers.

The four poll worker standards define excellence for poll worker programs – recruitment, training, management, and retention.

 Poll Worker Recruitment
Your election department recruits enough poll workers with the skills and competencies to successfully support voters in casting their ballots.

To achieve this standard…

• You hire enough poll workers to staff all voting locations, including accounting for no-shows. 
• You recruit poll workers that have the temperament, skills, and competencies to successfully carry out their responsibilities.
• Your poll workers represent the experiences and background of your community.

The underlying why: If an election department achieves this standard, the intended impact is that…

• Voting locations will have enough poll workers to effectively carry out election administration duties. 
• You won’t have to find last minute poll workers or rely on poll workers who are unable to perform their basic responsibilities.
• The public will have a reliable in-person voting experience where poll workers are able to perform their responsibilities and provide a smooth voting experience for all voters, regardless of their needs. 

Poll Worker Training

Your election department delivers training that helps poll workers understand and conduct their responsibilities, equips them with the resources to find answers to their questions, and sets expectations of professionalism.

To achieve this standard…

• You provide poll worker training that is convenient, offers poll workers opportunities to practice their responsibilities and demonstrate their comprehension through evaluation tools. 
• You equip poll workers with up-to-date and easy-to-understand resources to help them carry out their responsibilities and quickly resolve situations in their voting location.
• You support poll workers with clear policies and communication that establish a voter-centric, non-partisan, and professional culture in voting locations.

The underlying why: If an election department achieves this standard, the intended impact is that…

• Poll workers will follow established processes and function efficiently.
• You will receive fewer questions from poll workers during elections, reduce confusion, and minimize poll worker errors.
• The public will interact with poll workers who are helpful, knowledgeable, and who build their confidence in the election process.

Poll Worker Management

Your election office manages poll workers by efficiently maintaining information, communicating effectively, and facilitating compensation.

To achieve this standard…

• You have a secure system to track and update poll worker information, including contact information, training status, and voting location site assignments. 
• You proactively communicate with poll workers from their recruitment to voting location placement, and are able to do so with timely and effective communication methods.
• You have a clear process for poll workers to escalate questions and prioritize support issues based on urgency. 
• You support your local process to compensate poll workers in a timely manner. 
• Your processes for poll workers are documented and updated to reflect current practices.
• You identify opportunities to improve your poll worker program and act on them. 

The underlying why: If an election department achieves this standard, the intended impact is that…

• Election departments will be able to easily communicate with poll workers,  access information about their active poll workers, and be flexible with changes to assignments.
• Poll workers are more likely to have a positive experience when they have access to up-to-date-information and know how to get help when they need it.
• The public will have reliable poll workers who build their confidence in the election process.

Poll Worker Retention

Your election office supports retention of competent poll workers and honors their civic contribution by providing a positive poll worker experience, making poll workers feel appreciated, and incorporating feedback on their experience.

To achieve this standard…

• You find ways to recognize and celebrate poll workers for their service.
• You solicit feedback from poll workers and find opportunities for improvement based on their suggestions. 

The underlying why: If an election department achieves this standard, the intended impact is that…

• Election departments will have a dedicated and experienced pool of poll workers to invite to serve in elections. 
• You reduce the burden on your election office to recruit and train enough poll workers for elections.
• The public will have knowledgeable and experienced poll workers who build their confidence in the election process.