Poll Worker Information
The Davidson County Election Commission needs you!
The Davidson County Election Commission is recruiting conscientious persons, dedicated to protecting the electoral process to work as poll officials on Election Day. Operating fair and honest elections is our goal and to do so requires the labor of over 1000 citizens just like you - citizens with families, jobs and other responsibilities in life.
These citizens serve as poll officials on Election Day. While they are compensated, it is not the pay that motivates them. They do these jobs because they believe in fair elections and want to protect their privilege to vote. Election laws are becoming more and more complex, so having skilled poll workers has become even more critical.
If you are a registered and active voter in Davidson County and want to be involved, become a poll official! We will train you to do one of the five different jobs required at the polls. When Election Day comes, you’ll work a long day. You’ll be tired at the end, but you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that you did your part to ensure that Davidson County has fair and honest elections. After all, that is the basis of the governmental systems of our county, our state and our country.
Five officials are typically assigned to each precinct. This can vary depending on the number of registered voters in a precinct. The law dictates there is to be 50/50 representation of Democrats and Republicans in each precinct. The person designated as the Judge Operator is to be of the opposing party of the Officer. The two (2) Precinct Registrar are also to be of opposing parties.
Davidson County Elections General Information
- 172 Precincts
- Minimum of 4 Election Officials Per Precinct
- Actual number of Election Officials Based on Registered Voters in Each Precinct: Larger Precincts have more Election Officials for the Precinct
- Our office Recruit, Appoint, Train, and Deploy 1,000 – 1,200 Election Officials County-Wide
- Republican AND Democrat Election Officials Required in Every Precinct (goal is 50/50 for each precinct)
Polling Place Election Officials
- Minimum of Four Officials in each precinct
- 3 Judges
- 1 Judge also serves as Machine Operator
- Remaining 2 Judges serve as Precinct Registrars
- Larger Precincts have additional officials
- Ballot Application Clerk
- Precinct Registrar Assistants
- Machine Operators
- Expediters (usually only in very large turnout elections)
Definition of Precinct Positions
Ballot Application Clerk
- Serves as Gatekeeper for Precinct
- Determines if voter is registered in precinct
- Verifies voter has proper signature ID
- Re-directs voters with registration questions/changes to proper Precinct Official
- Maintains accurate inventory of Ballot Applications issued/used/spoiled -> must reconcile to number of Ballots Cast at Precinct when polls close and all voters have been processed
Precinct Registrar (and Assistants)
- Attest to accuracy of information recorded on official election documents
- Validate identity of voters requesting Ballot to Vote
- Maintain record of ballot style requested by voter (political party preference if Primary Election ballot requested and/or participation in General Election, if offered)
- Precinct Registrars (not Assistants) serve as part of 3-person decision panel if any citizen’s Right to Vote is challenged
Machine Operators
- Responsible for activating voting machine with ballot style requested by voter on ballot application
- Attention to detail to ensure each voter receives ballot as requested for assigned precinct
- Convey a helpful attitude in explaining use of voting machine
- Understands need for voter privacy and maintains such privacy even when voter needs clarification on use of machine to cast ballot
- Machine Operator serving as Judge is part of 3-person decision panel if any citizen’s Right to Vote is challenged
- Machine Operator serving as Judge will attest to accuracy of information recorded on Official Election documents
Change of Address (COA) Clerk
- Serves as problem solver to assist registered voters with:
- Address Changes
- Name Changes
- Status of “Inactive Voter”
- Assists persons who believe they timely registered to Vote, but DO NOT appear on list of voters in precinct where Address Clerk is serving
- Redirects registered voters to the proper precinct if they show up at the wrong precinct on election-day
Officer of Election
- Election Official/Team Leader in charge at Precinct
- Responsible for compliance with all TN Election Laws
- Ensures all voters have equal access to cast ballots
- Manages/Supervises other Precinct Officials in the conduct of their assigned duties
- Properly safeguards all election supplies necessary to the conduct of election and returns supplies in accordance with instructions provided.
- Contacts other Election Officials Assigned to same precinct confirming their work availability/schedule
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 862-8804 or 862-8947
Officers Base Pay: $220.00
Base Pay for all other election workers: $120.00
Print and fill out the following application, W-4 form, and I-9 form to be considered for the Election Official position:
- Poll Official Application:
- Poll Official Application for 17 year old students:
- W-4 Form
- I-9 Form
- Direct Deposit Form
- You must include a clear/legible copy of your Social Security Card
- You must include a clear/legible copy of your Davidson County Voter ID card or valid Tennessee Drivers License
Mail to:
Davidson County Election Commission
P.O. Box 650
Nashville, TN 37202