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STUDENT POLL WORKER GUIDELINES

Kathy Dent
Supervisor of Elections
Sarasota County, Florida

• The services provided by poll workers are essential to the election process. Poll workers must be professional and courteous at all times.

• Poll workers must follow the requests and directives of the clerk, who is in charge of the polling place and will contact you prior to the election.

• Poll workers are required by law to attend a minimum of three hours of training prior to primary and general elections. Applicants who are more than 15 minutes late for training or improperly attired (see below) will not be admitted, but may reschedule, based on class availability.

• Student poll workers will be paid $150 per election and may receive community service hours for training time.

• On Election Day you must report to your assigned polling location and be ready for work no later than 6:00 a.m. Parking spaces adjacent to polling places must be left for voters. The Polls close at 7:00 p.m. However, work continues until all election board tasks are completed and you are released by the clerk. Poll workers who report more than 10 minutes late on election morning may be sent home by the precinct clerk.

• Proper attire is required for training and for election day.

The following are not acceptable:
Jewelry, buttons, pins, etc., that suggest political party affiliation, or promote a candidate or any issue on the ballot
Clothing that exposes the stomach, midriff, cleavage or undergarments
Clothing that is ripped or torn or ill fitting
Baggy or ill-fitting pants worn below the waist
Skirts, pants or dresses that do not reach mid-thigh length
Flip flops

• Poll workers shall not make any partisan statements or remarks while working at the polls.
• Come prepared to spend a full day, bringing lunch, supper and anything else needed, such as medicine, etc.
• Must be able to lift 45 pounds with a co-worker.
• Smoking is not permitted within or at the exterior entrance to the polling facility.
• Personal cell phone use is not allowed within or near the entrance to the polling facility.
• If you have any questions, please call the voter education coordinator at 861-8610 or the poll worker coordinator at 861-8640.