At busy periods such as Polling Days we rely on a pool of dedicated additional staff to support the democratic process.
If you would like to apply for future Elections please contact the Elections Team on 01892 602407 for an informal chat or you can apply online.
Applicants will be added to a database to be contacted about election specific roles.
Being accepted onto our database does not guarantee that you will be offered a post.
- Election roles are paid on a Pay As You Earn (PAYE) basis, which means that tax may be deducted from earnings. If you are not a tax payer you will be responsible for claiming the tax back from HMRC
- Any work that you do may affect any state pension or benefit that you receive. You will be responsible for telling your pension or benefit provider about your earnings
- Any work that you do may affect how much tax that you are required to pay. You will be responsible for telling HMRC about your earnings
- You will be required to provide proof of entitlement to work in the UK.
Election Day Vacancies
Polling station staff ensure that voters are able to cast their vote in secret, free from influence and in a calm atmosphere. If you are a good communicator, methodical and quick to learn, apply to work in one of the many polling stations across Wealden.
Applying for a job
To express an interest in any of these roles, please complete the online application form. If you are not a Wealden resident please select the “continue without an account” option. If you would like to apply for more than one job please apply for each job separately.
Job descriptions and pay rates are indicative only and subject to change.
If you have any questions about anything on this page, or if you need adjustments to the recruitment process in line with the Equality Act 2010 please contact the Elections Team using the contact details at the bottom of this page.
Poll Clerks
Poll Clerks work under the direction of the Presiding Officer, who is an important interface between the public and the Returning Officer. They assist with keeping the polling station clean and tidy, answer electors questions and hand out ballot papers.
As Poll Clerk you will assist the Presiding Officer with running the polling station. You will help to set up the polling station and assist with the issue of ballot papers enabling electors to cast their vote. You must maintain the secrecy of the ballot.
Personal specification:
- Fluent spoken English, able to communicate effectively both verbally & in writing.
- Physically able to undertake the tasks at the polling station i.e. lifting and carrying of equipment and setting up tables and chairs etc.
- Diplomacy and tact when dealing with members of the public.
- Ability to carry out work as instructed.
- Access to your own car.
- Fully literate & numerate.
- Ability to remain politically neutral.
- Good timekeeping.
You will be expected to:
- Complete online training sessions which are required to undertake the role.
- Arrive at the polling station at 06.15 am
- Help set up the polling station equipment ready for the polling station to open at 07.00 am
- Remain at the polling station until it has closed at 10.00 pm and the equipment has been packed away.
- Assist with the marking of the Electoral Register and issuing of ballot papers.
- Deal with members of the public in a helpful, polite and professional manner.
- Be politically neutral and wear politically neutral coloured clothing whilst on duty (black, white, grey)
- Work subject to the Secrecy Requirements.
- Follow the instructions of your Presiding Officer
- Follow instructions issued by the Returning Officer, Deputy Returning Officer or Polling Station Inspector
In return you can expect:
- Full training in your role and responsibilities
- Full written instructions
- All stationery and equipment to carry out your duties
- Contact details for your colleagues
- Kitchen and toilet facilities at the polling station
- Short breaks as arranged by the Presiding Officer throughout the day.
Estimated work commitment:
- You will be required to assist the Presiding Officer to set up the polling station furniture and equipment prior to opening and after the close of poll, including packing up equipment.
- You will be working a 16 hour day, you must provide your own refreshments.
Polling station staff will be given breaks but are not permitted to leave the
premises during the hours of poll.
Payment:
- Payment amounts will depend on the type of election e.g. you will receive more for a combined poll than you do for a single poll. The Elections Team will confirm the rates of pay on confirmation and acceptance of appointment.
- Additional payment for undertaking online training.
- Additional payment for mileage.
Presiding Officers
Presiding Officers are experienced polling station staff with a comprehensive knowledge of the voting process and electoral law. They must be able to manage a small team of poll clerks, ensure that people with additional needs can cast their vote, liaise appropriately with tellers, party agents and polling station inspectors and maintain the secrecy of the ballot.
As Presiding Officer you will be responsible for the management of your polling
station. You will be responsible for assigning work to your Poll Clerk(s), ensuring the accurate delivery of the poll and accounting for all ballot papers. You will be
responsible for collecting and delivering your ballot box to the Count Centre. You
may have responsibility for ensuring your polling building is open and closed on the day.
Personal specification:
- Organised and experienced in leading a team – experience of having worked at a polling station preferred but not essential.
- Fluent spoken English, able to communicate effectively both verbally & in writing.
- Physically able to undertake the tasks at the polling station i.e. lifting and carrying of equipment and setting up tables and chairs etc.
- Diplomacy and tact when dealing with members of the public.
- Ability to carry out work independently.
- Access to your own car which is also insured for business use.
- Fully literate & numerate.
- Ability to remain politically neutral.
- Good timekeeping.
You will be expected to:
- Follow instructions issued by the Returning Officer, Deputy Returning Officer or Polling Station Inspector
- Attend a face to face training session which lasts approx. 2 hours
- Complete online training sessions which are required to undertake the role.
- Check arrangements for the opening and closing of your polling building and act as key-holder if necessary
- Collect your ballot box(es) and stationery from your designated collection point
- Be responsible for the safe and secure keeping of your ballot box(es) and its contents.
- Be responsible for setting up your polling station and leaving the building in a neat and secure state.
- Be responsible for opening your polling station on time, correctly staffed and sign posted, with all equipment in place and that all functions of the polling station are correct.
- Be responsible for assigning work to your Poll Clerk
- Deal with members of the public in a helpful, polite and professional manner.
- Preparing the ballot paper account and other statutory paperwork
- Delivering the ballot box and all sundries back to the Count Centre
- To maintain the secrecy of the ballot
- Be prepared to erect polling booths and transport ballot boxes, if necessary. This involves some lifting.
- Ensure that the layout of the polling station takes all voter needs into account.
- Be aware of access issues at the polling station.
- Ensure that health and safety at the polling station for all staff and visitors is attended to.
- Ensure that the polling station is neat and tidy.
- Ensure that the register of electors is being marked correctly and that electors’ electoral numbers are being correctly recorded on the corresponding numbers lists.
- Ensure that ballot papers are being issued correctly to voters.
- Ensure that voters can cast their votes in secret and can put them into the correct ballot box.
- Provide assistance to polling station staff and voters where appropriate.
- Ensure that the attendance of those entitled to be present in the polling station, eg candidates, agents, representatives of the Electoral Commission and observers, is being managed effectively and that they do not interfere with the voting process.
- Be polite and professional when dealing with all visitors to the polling station and remain impartial at all times.
- Monitor the activities of tellers outside polling places
- Wear smart and politically neutral clothing
- Work subject to the Secrecy Requirements
In return, you can expect:
- Full training in your role and responsibilities.
- Full written instructions.
- All stationery and equipment to carry out your duties.
- Regular visits on polling day from a Polling Station Inspector
- Direct-line contact to the Elections Office who will advise on any contentious issues.
- Contact details for your colleagues and polling station key holder.
Estimated work commitment:
- 2 Hours Training Session.
- 2 Hours preparatory work.
- 17 Hours on polling day.
Payment:
- Payment amounts will depend on the type of election e.g. you will receive more for a combined poll than you do for a single poll. The Elections Team will confirm the rates of pay on confirmation and acceptance of appointment.
- Additional payment for undertaking both face to face and online training.
- Additional payment for mileage.
Count Staff
Once voting is over ballot papers are taken to the counting station, where they are checked, sorted and counted, by hand. Election Counts may start at 10pm in the evening, others on weekdays or on a Saturday or Sunday. Count staff must be able to quickly and accurately sort and count ballot papers, working under the direction of a Count Team Leader.
As Count Assistant you will work as part of a team to verify, sort and count ballot
papers. The Returning Officer is not permitted to employ anyone who is/or has
carried out duties on behalf of any political party or candidate at the election. All staff will be required to sign their agreement to maintain the secrecy of the poll.
Personal specification:
- Fluent spoken English, able to communicate effectively both verbally & in writing.
- Diplomacy and tact when dealing with members of the public.
- Ability to carry out work as instructed.
- Ability to get to/ from the count venue near Uckfield.
- Fully literate & numerate.
- Ability to remain politically neutral.
- Good timekeeping.
You will be expected to:
- Sort and count ballot papers quickly and accurately.
- Work as part of a team.
- Follow instructions from the Returning Officer, Deputy Returning Officer, Count Supervisor or Count Co-ordinator.
- Recount ballot papers if required.
- Possibly undertake work at unsociable hours.
- Adhere to the Requirement of Secrecy.
- Wear politically neutral clothing.
- Wear a T-shirt issued to identify count staff.
- Agree to the possibility of your image being captured by representatives of media organisations.
In return you can expect:
- Full training if required.
- Full written instructions.
- All stationery and equipment to carry out your duties.
- Breaks and light refreshments.
Estimated work commitment:
The length of time a Count takes will depend on the size and nature of the election and whether re-counts are required. You must be prepared to stay as long as it takes, and may wish to bring your own food in case it is a lengthy process.
If the Count takes place immediately after the close of poll, you will start working late into the evening and potentially into the early hours of the morning. You will be given adequate breaks and light refreshments will be provided.
Payment:
- Payment amounts will depend on whether you are appointed to a daytime Count or an overnight count. as you will receive more for an overnight Count. The Elections Team will confirm the rates of pay on confirmation and acceptance of appointment.