Be a Poll Official

On Election Day, approximately 3,000 of your neighbors serve voters in Gwinnett by working as poll officials. You can take part by applying to serve as a poll worker during the 2024 election season.

Apply today!

As a poll worker at one of our polling locations, you play an active role in ensuring the ongoing success of the electoral process. We need dedicated individuals who take pride in their work, are patient and enjoy teamwork, and are diligent and detail-oriented.

Whenever possible, poll officials are assigned to their home precinct. However, if there are no vacancies at your polling location, you may be asked to work at one nearby.

What are the requirements to become a poll official?

• Complete an online training course prior to each election, as required by the state, and, depending on the assigned position, attend an additional two to four hours of in-person training if required.
• Report to your assigned polling place at 5:30am on Election Day and remain until all voters have left and closing procedures are completed.
• Apply and provide proof of U.S. Citizenship by completing the I-9 process. Once you apply, you will receive an email from Gwinnett Human Resources regarding this process.

Apply to become an Election Poll Official or learn about other requirements at GwinnettCountyJobs.com. Gwinnett Voter Registrations and Elections and your fellow citizens appreciate the dedicated poll officials who help us make our elections work.

How to prepare for Election Day

Plan ahead: Poll officials will not be able to leave the polling place once they have been sworn in.

Breaks: Established meal and break times should be provided. Be aware that most private facilities used as polling locations do not allow smoking or vaping. Per Gwinnett County ordinance, smoking and vaping are strictly prohibited on County-owned properties and facilities.

What to bring: Bring food and beverages, medications, and coolers if needed. Please note that not all polling locations have refrigerators, microwaves, or extra rooms for meals or breaks.

What to wear: Dress in comfortable clothing and shoes. Remember, many suffer from asthma or allergy conditions so strong scents should be avoided.

What is a typical Election Day for a poll official?

Polls are open from 7:00am to 7:00pm unless hours are extended by the court’s order. The poll manager typically picks up election materials the day before Election Day.

Typical Election Day Schedule
5:30am	Chief Officer of Election arrives
5:30am – 7:00am	Prepare for the election Take the oath Welcome authorized poll watchers or observers Review assignments Set up the polling place Check supplies, signs, and forms; post signs inside and outside of polling place; and set up equipment and instructional materials Set up pollbook station and pollbooks Lay out forms and reference materials Set up and verify voting equipment and ensure voting booths and machines are positioned for privacy Ensure an emergency ballot box is available, emptied, and locked Complete pre-election paperwork
7:00am	Open the polls and conduct the election. The poll manager must call the Elections Office if the polling location does not open for voters by 7:00am. This is when voters cast their ballots. Voters in line at the time the polls close are also allowed to vote as usual. While polls are open, poll officials should be aware of and continuously monitor individuals allowed in the polling place, prohibited activities, and voting systems and ballots. Poll officials are also required to track certain types of activities and count special ballots cast, provisional ballots, and requests for assistance casting a ballot.
7:00pm	Close the polls At exactly 7:00pm, a poll official announces, “The polls are officially closed.”
After 7:00pm	Secure equipment and ballots, complete paperwork, and pack materials and supplies Anyone in line when the polls close at 7:00pm must be allowed to vote as usual Close the pollbooks after all voting is completed Complete and sign forms and paperwork