Become an Election Worker

Step 1 –  FILL OUT AN ELECTION WORKER APPLICATION

Applications are accepted year-round; however, if a volunteer wishes to serve as an Election Worker in a specific election, it is strongly encouraged individuals apply early for the best chance of receiving preferred placement.  Applications received close to the election date will be processed and volunteers will be assigned to a position and/or polling locations that have vacancies. Applicants may request information on available positions by contacting the Recruitment Team. Applications are accepted at the Board of Elections office during normal business hours, by mail, fax, or email (scanned).

1. Select the link and complete the Election Worker Application form to apply Election Worker Program Application.
2. Download a printable application.  You may submit the completed form via mail, email, fax or in person.

Mail Election Worker Applications to:
Montgomery County Board of Elections
Attention: Election Worker Program
18753 N. Frederick Ave. Suite 210
Gaithersburg MD, 20879
 
Email Election Worker Applications to:
Election.judge@montgomerycountymd.gov

Fax Electon Worker Applications to:
240-777-8578 Attention: Election Worker Program

Once your application has been processed by the recruitment office, you will receive an email with instructions on the next steps.

Step 2 – COMPLETE YOUR TRAINING

To be eligible to serve as an Election Worker you must successfully complete all required training. You will be provided instructions on how to complete your training by an Election Worker Recruiter. Your assignment will be provided after you complete the training. Precinct assignments are made on a first come, first serve basis – so it is important to complete training as soon as possible, especially if you want an opportunity to work in your “home” or voting precinct.

Election Worker training is conducted in two parts (Online and In-Person) and some positions may require more than one In-Person training class.
Online Training - Quiz

The Online Training - Quiz is the first part of your training. You will be given access to the Election Worker Manual to prepare for the Quiz. Read chapters one through four of the “Election Worker Manual” then complete the Quiz.  Once you have successfully completed the Quiz with a passing score, your recruiter will review the Quiz results and email you the next steps. This may take 2-5 business days to process. You will have two chances to pass the Quiz. If the second attempt to pass the Quiz was unsuccessful, you will be unable to move forward with participation for the upcoming election.

In-Person Training

The In-Person Training is the second part of your training. After you pass the Online Training - Quiz, a Recruiter will email you your Election Day service position with instructions to sign-up for an in-person training class for that position. More information on training will be available when training begins for the 2024 Elections.

Note: If you are volunteering as a Canvasser, Drop Box Runner, or in the Nursing Home Program your training requirement is different than poll worker training and the schedule will be provided by those Program Coordinators.

Step 3 – ELECTION SERVICE ASSIGNMENTS

Poll Worker Assignments: An Election Worker Recruiter will notify you of your Election Day and/or Early Voting assignment location three weeks prior to Election Day or the start of Early Voting.  Your assignment will only be provided to you after you complete all the required training. Precinct assignments are made based on specific criteria outlined by the Board of Elections and are made on a first come, first serve basis – so it is important to complete training as soon as possible, if you want an opportunity to work in your “home” or voting precinct. Election Workers who complete all required training (Online and In-Person) are eligible for a precinct assignment. Only workers assigned by the Board of Elections are authorized to serve in the precinct or Early Voting Center.

Your Election Day assignment includes the pre-election set-up meeting on the night prior to Election Day and your service on Election Day. Beginning three weeks prior to Election Day, Chief Election Workers will begin to contact the workers assigned to their precinct to talk about specific assignments and to confirm the time for the pre-election meeting.  The standard pre-election meeting time is 6:30 pm at the assigned precinct. All Election Workers should report to their assigned precinct at 6:30 pm; unless notified otherwise by a Chief Judge or their recruiter.

Your Early Voting assignment includes the pre-election set-up meeting on the night prior to the first day of early voting and your service during early voting. The standard pre-election meeting time is 6:30 pm at the assigned early voting center. If required, all Election Workers should report to their assigned precinct at 6:30 pm; unless notified otherwise by their recruiter.

Note: Only early voting Chief’s and Election Workers assigned to serve on the first day of early voting are required to attend the set-up meeting.

Canvass Assignments: You will be notified by the Voter Services department of your canvass position service days. Canvass will take place weeks prior to Election Day and continue after Election Day. You may be assigned to work several days of canvass.

Nursing Home Program Assignments: You will be notified by the Voter Services department of your nursing home position and service assignment.

Drop Box Runner Assignments: You will be notified by the Operations department of your Drop Box Runner shift(s). You will work in a team of two to collect the mail-in ballots envelopes from drop boxes throughout Montgomery County. On the day of your assignment, you will report to the Board of Elections (BOE) main office in Gaithersburg to receive your assigned route for the shift and meet your teammate.
 
Step 4 – ELECTION SERVICE PAYMENT

As a volunteer you have the option to receive a service stipend (payment) for your participation. If you would like to receive the service stipend, you must provide your full social security number. This can be done on your application or inside your EJ Connection account. To be eligible to receive the service stipend, you must successfully complete all required training and fulfill all election duties to which you are assigned.

If you volunteer and choose to opt out of receiving the service stipend you may decline the stipend and you do not need to provide your social security number. You will need to select the “decline stipend” option on the application or inside your EJ Connection account.

The service stipends are paid by check and mailed six weeks after the election to the address of record.

High school students have the option to receive SSL hours in lieu of the stipend. The SSL forms are emailed to each student about six weeks after the election.

Workers who complete training but do not serve are not eligible to receive a service training stipend.