FAQS

To serve as an Election Day Worker, you must:

• Be a resident of the District of Columbia*

• Be at least 16 years old

• Complete at least four hours of training prior to each election

If you are selected and assigned to an Early Voting Center or Election Day polling place, hours for work are:

• Early Voting: One of two six-hour shifts (8:00 am-2:00 pm OR 1:30 pm-7:30 pm) on days assigned

• Monday before Election Day (Polling Place Setup): Two to three hours on the Monday prior to Election Day

• Election Day: 6:00 am-9:00 pm 
  
  *Election Day is a long day's work, so make sure to bring any necessary prescriptions, food, and water to last throughout the day. We also recommend wearing comfortable clothes and a light jacket or sweater for any temperature changes inside the Early Voting Center or Election Day polling place.

Location assignments are made based on staffing needs, not location. However, we will do our best to assign you to a location near your home.
 
Workers receive a one-time payment, which includes training.

* Precinct Captains must be residents of District of Columbia and registered voters.

* Election workers with bilingual and/or advanced technical skills may earn an additional $50 by serving as precinct technicians or translators on Election Day. Additional training is required. 

You can apply to be an Election Day Worker by completing and returning the online application found here.

You will be notified by phone when your application has been processed and you are selected to work. Processing includes the verification of your address and registration status (where applicable). If selected, you will then be scheduled for a training class.

You may contact the Election Day Worker team at the DCBOE by calling (202) 727-2041 or (202) 727-2525 or sending an email to electionworker@dcboe.org.

Training consists of one four-hour class for the positions of Check-in Clerk, Ballot Clerk, Voter Assistance Clerk and Special Ballot Clerk.  Captain's Training involves a full-day training program.  Training is mandatory for all poll workers who want to serve on Election Day.

Poll worker training will take place at our offices located at 1015 Half Street, SE.  Paid parking is available in and around 1015 Half St SE for $17-20. On Washington Nationals game days, however, parking can cost as much as $50 per lot/garage. The DCBOE is also metro accessible by the Green Line using the Navy Yard stop. 

Make sure to plan ahead when visiting our offices.

For a complete list of home games at Nationals Park, visit https://www.mlb.com/nationals/schedule/printable-schedule

Polling places are located throughout the city in public and private schools, libraries, recreation centers, and churches. You will be assigned to a site that is convenient for you, if possible.

You may be asked to travel to other parts of the city to meet staffing needs on Election Day since some precincts may have more available workers than others. 

On the Monday prior to Election Day, all workers will meet at their assigned polling place to receive their supplies and set-up their work stations; this usually takes two to three hours. The exact time will be coordinated by the Precinct Captain and communicated to each worker prior to the election. 

Election Day Workers will work from 6:00 am until approximately 9:00 pm on Election Day. 

Situations may arise when Election Day Workers will need to stay on site past 9:00 pm.  We ask that all Election Day Workers be prepared to remain at their polling place until they are released by the Precinct Captain. 

No. Electioneering of any kind is not allowed inside Early Voting Centers and Election Day polling places. Please do not wear or display any candidate paraphernalia while on-duty during Early Voting or on Election Day.

At training, all Election Day Workers must sign an oath that they will abide by the same restrictions against political activity that DCBOE employees are obligated to follow. Election Day Workers may not campaign for any elected office, hold any office in any political party or political committee, or participate in the activities of or contribute to any political committee of any candidate in the District. 

In addition to Election Day, the Board employs a limited number of workers during Early Voting. They are assigned to shifts based upon need.

Early Voting workers should be available to work approximately four shifts, including the weekend. Shifts typically will not exceed a total amount earned of $600 for working.