Working in a polling station
Work at a polling station
At each election we have 130 polling stations, based all over the Cherwell district. Each polling station has at least 2 staff allocated to it, with larger stations having more.
Polling station staff are responsible for making sure that the proper voting procedures are followed. They check Voter ID and ensure that voters are able to cast their vote in secret, free from influence and in a calm atmosphere. On the day of the election, polling hours are 7am – 10pm but staff must be on duty at their polling station from 6.30am until around 10.15pm. Working in a polling station is not subject to the European Working Time Directive and due to this there is no guaranteed breaks during the day, and staff are not permitted to leave the station during the day. Staff are required to bring food and drink for the duration of their shift.
Full training and support is provided. All staff employed to work at a polling station must complete online training, at a time convenient to you, in the two weeks before polling day.
There are two roles in polling stations:
Presiding Officers:
- are responsible for conduct of the ballot in their polling station and must have a good knowledge of voting procedures
- have overall responsibility for the polling station and the supervision of other members of the polling station team
- have normally worked as a Poll Clerk on at least two occasions
- will be responsible for complying with all instructions and ensuring the integrity and secrecy of the ballot
- responsible for collecting the ballot box(es) and equipment from the CDC Council offices 2 to 3 days before polling day and taking to the polling station on election day, and then to the count venue (drop off point) at the close of poll
- responsibility for ensuring their polling station is open and closed on the day by liaising with the venue staff
- hours of work are 6.30am until you have delivered the ballot box and equipment to your designated drop off location after closing your polling station and completing all the paperwork at the close of poll.
Poll Clerks:
- assist the Presiding Officer to run a polling station
- help to set up polling station equipment, assist in the issue of ballot papers to members of the public, mark the electoral register and assist in the accurate completion of paperwork
- hours of work are 6.30am until the polling station has closed and been packed away.