Help America Vote Day: How to become a poll worker

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — August 16 marks Help America Vote Day, and Secretary of State Tre Hargett is encouraging Tennesseans to celebrate by signing up to be a poll worker for the November election.

“Elections are not possible without the election heroes who help run polling locations across our great state,” said Secretary Hargett.

Poll workers help their local polling sites run smoothly during early voting and Election Day. Their tasks include greeting voters, answering questions, explaining how to cast a ballot and counting votes.

Poll workers are paid for working during early voting and Election Day, as well as for attending required training sessions.

Most Tennesseans 16-years-old and up are eligible to be poll workers regardless of political affiliation. Those over 18 must be a registered voter in the county they’re serving.

You must also be able to read and write in the English language, and you cannot be a candidate yourself or a close relative of a candidate, nor can you be supervised by a county or municipal elected official on the ballot.

All City, County and Metro employees can serve as poll workers as long as they are not working directly under the supervision of an elected official on the ballot. State of Tennessee employees are also eligible, however federal employees are encouraged to first consult with their human resources department.

“Poll workers are essential to protecting the integrity of the ballot box,” said Coordinator of Elections Mark Goins. “By serving as a poll worker, you can help voters in your community confidently cast their ballot and know the election results are secure.”

Click here to apply or learn more information.

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