Welcome to Precinct Election Official Orientation
First let me thank you for your interest in becoming a Precinct Election Official (PEO). The purpose of this orientation is to provide you with the basic terminology and functions surrounding Precinct Election Official duties. This information will help you make the decision as to whether or not being a Precinct Election Official is right for you.
The ultimate goal of every election is to ensure that we remain a “government of the people, by the people, for the people".
Your participation is essential to ensure each voter experiences a positive, impartial, and open environment, instilling confidence in the election process, and in the privacy and security of their vote.
Election days can sometimes be demanding, but at the end of the day you can be proud of a job well done. You will know that your service has helped to advance the cause of democracy, a right that many sometimes take for granted.
Respectfully,
Mark A. Andersen
Supervisor of Elections
* We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, sex, or national origin.
What to Expect as a Precinct Election Official
A Precinct Election Official must be courteous and polite, attend a minimum of 1 to 4 hours of training prior to each election. Be prepared to work a long day on election days, and be at their assigned polling place by 6:15 a.m.
PEO Pay:
- All Precinct Election Officials receive $10 per hour for training
- New Clerk and Assistant Clerk Master Election Certification (MEC) Training pay - $50.00
- Leadership $95-$115 per shift
- Inspectors/Deputies $80-84 per shift
- *These wages are subject to change based on annual approved budget and voting hours per election.
PEO Terminology:
- Accessible Voting System (AVS): Election equipment that allows the voter to mark the ballot by “touching a screen” or by an audio ballot which is read to the voter.
- Ballot Counting System (BCS): Election equipment that counts/tabulates paper ballots.
- Blue Security Cart: Securely stores ballots and election supplies.
- Precinct: A voting location that is outlined by boundaries. Voters are assigned to precinct polling places according to where they live.
- Voter Check In System (VCS): Election equipment that contains access to voter registration information. The voter must be sign in under his or her name before voting.
- Voter Check In Table: Location where inspectors will verify the voter’s information. The voter signs in using the Voter Check In System and this will initiate the issuing of a Voting Pass and paper ballot.
- Voting Certificate: A paper printed slip that indicates the voter has signed in and is eligible to receive a paper ballot.
Early Voting Sites vs. Precincts:
- Early voting sites are open up to 15 days prior to an election and can process voters from any precinct.
- Precincts are open only on Election Day and can process just voters assigned to that Precinct.
Voting Process:
- The Election Day polls open at 7 a.m.
- The Deputy will greet the voter and direct the voter to proceed to the Voter Check-In Table.
- The Voter will present an approved form of identification (I.D.) to the Inspector and sign in on the Voter Check-In System.
- Voters who cannot present an approved form of I.D. will be provided an opportunity to vote by provisional process.
- Once the voter's information is verified at the Voter Check-In System, a Voter Certificate and a paper ballot will automatically print.
- A Voter who chooses to mark the ballot manually will go into a privacy booth and mark the ballot with a pen provided then place it into the Ballot Counting System (BCS).
- A Voter who chooses to mark the ballot by machine will use the Accessible Voting System to mark the ballot then place it into the Ballot Counting System (BCS).
- The Election Day polling place closes at 7 p.m. or after the last Voter has cast their ballot.