FAQS

To serve as an Election Worker, you must be a District of Columbia resident who is at least 16 years of age and attends or has graduated from a public or private secondary school or an institution of higher education. 
 
To serve as a Site Coordinator, you must be a registered voter and a resident of the District of Columbia.
 
Residency and registration requirements do NOT apply to District government employees.

If you are selected and assigned to an Early Voting Center or Election Day Vote Center, 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

• Friday before Election Day (Vote Center Set Up): Two to three hours on the Friday prior to Election Day

• Election Day: 6:00 am - Dismissal
  
  *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 Vote Center.

Election Workers must provide proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to their training. “Fully vaccinated” means that you have received either both doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or one dose of the Johnson and Johnson’s Janssen vaccine plus all applicable booster shots against COVID-19 within six weeks of being eligible to receive them. If you have received two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or one dose of the Johnson and Johnson, but are not yet eligible for a booster, you are considered fully vaccinated but you should get the applicable booster shot as soon as you are eligible to do so. They will also need to wear PPE (provided by the DCBOE) during training, set up, and any work shifts during Early Voting or on Election Day.

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

You will be notified by phone or email 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 Worker team at the DCBOE by calling (202) 741 -5283 or (202) 727-2525 or sending an email to [email protected]

Training consists of one 4-hour class for the positions of Registration Clerk, Ballot Clerk, Voter Assistance Clerk and Vote Center Technician. Site Coordinator training involves a full-day training program. Training is mandatory for all Election Workers.

Election Worker training will take place at the DCBOE offices located at 1015 Half Street, SE, Suite 750. Paid parking is available in and around 1015 Half St SE for $18-20. On Washington Nationals game days, however, parking can cost as much as $50 per lot/garage. For a complete list of home games at Nationals Park, visit https://www.mlb.com/nationals/schedule/printable-schedule

The DCBOE is also metro accessible by the Green Line using the Navy Yard stop. 

Make sure to plan ahead when visiting our offices.

Vote Centers 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 during Early Voting or on Election Day, as some Vote Centers may have more available workers than others. Location assignments are made based on staffing needs, not the applicant’s preferred location. However, we will do our best to assign you to a location near your home.

All Election Workers will meet at their assigned Vote Center 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 Vote Center Coordinator and communicated to each worker prior to the election. 

Early Voting Workers can expect to work either Morning Shifts (8:00 am-2:00 pm) or Afternoon Shifts (1:30 pm-7:30 pm).

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

However, 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 Vote Center until they are released by the Vote Center Coordinator. 

Election Workers receive a one-time payment, which includes training and set up (on the Friday before Election Day). Election Workers who work on Election Day will earn a stipend of up to $250; Election Workers who working during the Early Voting period will earn $100 per shift. Site Coordinators will earn a stipend of up to $300. Student Election Workers ages 16-17 who work on Election Day and opt to receive payment instead of service hours can earn a stipend of up to $125.

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

At training, all Election Workers must sign an oath that they will abide by the same restrictions against political activity that DCBOE employees are obligated to follow. Election 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.

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

• Student Election Worker Application (Ages 16-17)
• Adult Student Election Worker Application (Ages 18+)