Election Worker

Citizen involvement is essential to conduct open, accurate and fair elections in Wisconsin.  The City of Wausau Clerk's Office is looking for Election Inspectors (also known as "Election Workers" or "Poll Workers") to work at the polls for every election.

Mandatory training sessions are provided before each election by the municipal clerk and staff. Election Inspectors are compensated for training and service on Election Day.
Election Inspectors are responsible for administering election procedures in each polling place. Election procedures include:

• Set up the polling place before the polls open
• Register voters
• Maintain the poll books
• Issue ballots to registered voters
• Monitor the use of voting equipment
• Provide instructions and assistance to voters as needed
• Assist new voters in determining their wards/polling location
• Assist the Chief Inspector in closing the polls and completing end of the night paperwork

To be an Election Inspector, a person must:

• Be a qualified elector of Marathon county
• Be an adult U.S. Citizen (18 years of age or older, except High School student Poll Workers - see below for details)
• Have resided in the election district for ten (10) consecutive days and is not otherwise disqualified from voting
• Be able to speak, read, and write fluently in the English language
• Have strong clerical skills
• Be able to work in a team setting
• Be capable of understanding the election laws and procedures
• Be physically able to stand and sit for long periods of time
• NOT currently serving a sentence including probation or parole for a felony conviction
• NOT a candidate for any office to be voted on at the election you are desiring to serve

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT POLL WORKERS
Wisconsin law allows qualified students to serve as election inspectors, also known as poll workers. It's great way for students to become involved in their communities and learn about how government works.

Qualifications
Students qualify to serve as election inspectors if they:

1. Are 16 or 17 years of age
2. Are enrolled in grades 9 to 12 in a public, private or tribal school
3. Have at least a 3.0 grade point average or the equivalent
4. Have the written approval of their parent or guardian
5. Have the written approval of the principal of the school in which they are enrolled, if the student has less than a 3.0 grade point average
6. Reside in the municipality.

Students may serve only at polling places that serve their residence.

Written Authorization
Before a student may be appointed as an inspector, the municipal clerk shall obtain written authorization from the student's parent or guardian.  The clerk must also obtain written authorization from the principal of the school where the student is enrolled if the student has less than a 3.0 grade point average. Upon appointment, the municipal clerk shall notify the principal of the school where the student is enrolled of the date of the election at which the student will serve.

Restrictions

1. A student may only serve as an inspector at a polling place if at least one inspector, other than the chief inspector, is a qualified elector of the municipality
2. A student may not serve as chief inspector at a polling place
3. A student serving as an election inspector may not challenge any person offering to vote.

TIME COMMITMENT
Election Inspectors work from 6:00 a.m. until the completion of their duties (approximately 10:00 p.m.).  A lunch break of a half hour may be possible during slower elections, but busy elections may require you to stay at the polling place and bring necessary meals and snacks.  Half-day or shorter shifts are available, but whole days are preferred.

Election Inspectors are appointed for a two-year term.  If you are not scheduled for a specific election, you will be considered an alternate and asked to work if a vacancy occurs.  It is always our goal to place you in your own district; however, if you are willing to help where needed, it is easier to make assignments.

TRAINING
Mandatory training sessions are provided before each election by the Municipal Clerk and staff.  These sessions are paid and typically last 1-2 hours.  Training sessions are generally held the Wednesday before an Election Day.

COMPENSATION
Election Inspectors are paid $12.06 per hour to attend an Election Inspector training class and for service on Election Day.  Election Inspectors are considered temporary employees and therefore are not eligible for unemployment compensation.

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
Wisconsin law requires every employer to grant an unpaid leave of absence to each employee who is appointed to serve as an Election Inspector, if the employee who serves as an Election Inspector provides his/her employer with at least seven (7) days' notice of appointment.  The leave is for the entire 24-hour period of each Election Day in which the employee serves in his/her official capacity as an Election Inspector.  Upon requires of any employer, Municipal Clerks must verify appointments.

The City of Wausau will hire Election Inspectors who are party and non-party affiliated, HOWEVER, those who are party affiliated (on a list submitted and certified by the political party) will fill available Election Inspector positions first.  To affiliate with one of the two dominant political parties, please contact the chairperson of the political party.

SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS:
The City of Wausau will make arrangements to furnish appropriate auxiliary aids and services where necessary and reasonable to afford an individual with a disability the opportunity to participate in the recruitment process. Please notify the Human Resources Department or phone (715) 261-6630 to request special accommodations prior to the application deadline.

NOTICE TO APPLICANTS:
Wisconsin Statutes, Sections 19.36 (7), 64.09 (5), and 64.11 (7) require public employers to treat the following items as a public record: Each applicant’s application, records, recommendations and qualifications except as provided in Section 19.36 (7), Wis. Stats. that allows the identity of an applicant to remain confidential if the applicant requests in writing that the City not provide access to this information.

If you choose not to have this information become a public record, you must make such a request in writing to the Human Resources Department. If you become a finalist for the position, your identity may be disclosed as required by law.

ADDITIONAL NOTICES:
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ofccp/posters
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/posters/fmla
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/posters/employee-polygraph-protection-act

The City of Wausau is an Equal Opportunity Employer.