SoCal needs more election workers. Here’s how you can help

Election Day is less than three months away and the stakes are big: Voters will pick our next president, decide state and local ballot measures and weigh in on key local races like who will be L.A. County’s next district attorney.

With local and national campaigns in full swing there are a lot of ways to get involved. Here in SoCal, one way to participate in democracy this election cycle is by becoming a paid poll worker. (Yes, paid! In L.A. County poll workers get at least a $100 per day stipend.)

If you’ve voted in person before, you’ve interacted with a poll worker: They’re your neighbors at your local polling place who check you in, give you a sticker, and make sure the voting machines are running smoothly.

“Our democracy thrives when our community steps up to ensure our elections run smoothly,” L.A. County Registrar Recorder/County Clerk Dean Logan said in a statement marking National Poll Worker Recruitment Day earlier this month.

If this sounds like something you want to get involved in, we’ve compiled this guide with everything you need to know to become a poll worker in L.A. County or Orange County.

How to apply

There aren’t many requirements for the job. As long as you’re 18 or older and a registered California voter, or if you have legal permanent residency (e.g. a green card), you’re good to apply.

• L.A. County residents can apply to be a community election worker by filling out this online form.
• Orange County residents can apply to help at the polls on the county’s jobs site. If selected, you must commit to either seven or 14 days of work in total, including two days of training, four or 11 days of work in the vote center, half a day of setup, and half a day of cleanup, according to Orange County Registrar of Voters Bob Page.

Officials in Los Angeles and Orange counties are recruiting temporary workers to staff vote centers across SoCal.

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AFP via Getty Images

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What if I’m under 18?

It can be frustrating to learn about the importance of voting in high school civics class but not be old enough to participate in an election yourself. The good news is, California has a special poll worker program for teens who want to participate in the election.

California high school students who are 16 or older by Election Day (Nov. 5), have at least a 2.5 GPA, and get permission from their guardian and school can apply. Students get one excused absence per year for civic or political activities like poll working, thanks to a California law that went into effect last year. Both L.A. County and Orange County pay students for working these jobs.

• L.A. County students typically apply through a teacher coordinator at their school, according to Mike Sanchez, a spokesperson for the L.A. County Registrar Recorder/County Clerk’s office — so if you’re interested in working the polls, you can start by checking that your school participates in the program. More information about the student poll worker program in L.A. is available here. 
• Orange County students also have the opportunity to work the polls. Recruitment for these positions will start in September, and interested students can email student@ocvote.gov.

Samea Derrick worked the polls in L.A. as a 17-year old during the last presidential election in 2020. She was excited by the prospect of a low-commitment way to be civically engaged in her own community.

She told LAist that the experience helped her navigate the election, which she found stressful, and she hopes she’s able to do the job again in the future.

“I was just happy to be surrounded by people and feel like we were working together as a community to allow everyone to vote,” she said.

What will I actually do as a poll worker?

Poll workers are responsible for setting up and taking down voting equipment, as well as helping voters when they arrive at the polling place, Sanchez said. Throughout the day, you’ll help voters by greeting them, answering questions, or helping them check in.

With the exception of high school student poll workers, election workers usually serve for multiple days, since vote centers are open for several days in the lead up to Election Day.

Michel Lekika, who previously served as an elections worker in Orange County, told LAist that before work begins, you’ll be trained for all sorts of situations — not just regarding the basic job tasks, but also on how to present yourself and feel prepared to interact with voters. For example, poll workers can’t wear logos that would suggest a bias toward any candidate or party.

“I really encourage people to do it,” Lekika told LAist. Despite the job’s sometimes long hours, he emphasized that, ultimately, “you learn a lot, and you feel just great to serve the country” by helping people cast their votes.

Who’s most needed?

Sanchez told LAist that L.A. County usually needs about 12,000 poll workers. Ahead of the general election this year, Sanchez said they have already received about 7,000 applications as of Aug. 6.

He also noted that L.A. County especially needs bilingual poll workers who speak both English and one of the following languages: Armenian, Chinese (Mandarin or Cantonese), Farsi, Japanese, Khmer, Korean or Thai.

In Orange County, election officials say they especially need bilingual workers who speak Chinese, Korean, Spanish or Vietnamese.

In a statement to LAist, Page wrote that Orange County typically requires about 1,300 poll workers, which includes about seven people to staff each vote center, plus supervisors who manage four to five vote centers at a time.

The county has already hired back 650 returning election workers as of Aug. 2 and is pursuing numerous recruitment strategies to get more people involved, Page said.

Poll workers hang up signs in Los Angeles ahead of the 2022 midterm elections.

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Robyn Beck

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AFP via Getty Images

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How much money can I earn?

In L.A. County, you can make $100 per day, for up to 10 days of work. You also get $80 for completing training, and bilingual workers who speak any of 18 languages (see the full list here) get an extra $100. Student poll workers are also paid at this rate.

In Orange County, poll workers are paid hourly, starting at just over $20 per hour. Student poll workers in O.C. get $100 for a full day, plus $20 for training.

Beyond the compensation, you’ll have a front row seat to watch democracy in action. Sanchez said poll workers play a critical role.

“[They] ensure our elections are run safely, securely, and accessible to everyone.”