Be a poll worker






Filling vacancies
If the Hardeman County Election Commission determines that an official whom it has appointed cannot serve, the commission shall appoint a registered voter of the county to fill the vacancy.

Where Election Officials can serve
Election Officials may serve in any precinct of their state house district. Precinct registrars who are registered voters may work in any precinct in Hardeman County.

A Voting Precinct’s Political Party makeup
Not more than two of the Judges at a polling place may be of the same political party, if persons from different political parties are willing to serve. When primaries are held by both political parties on the same day, at least (1) judge from each political party shall be appointed.

Persons who can or cannot work in an election
The following persons are not allowed to serve as election officials:

(1) any elected official.
(2) governmental or governmental agency employees.
(3) employees of elected officials.
(4) candidates in the election.

An exception to this rule allows the following people to serve as election officials:

(1) Notaries
(2) Employees, faculty members or instructors at institutes of higher education school teachers
(3) Members of the reserves of the armed forces. However, if the individuals are full-time employees of the reserves of the national guard or they are on active duty, then the Code does disqualify them from being election officials.

Election Official roles and responsibilities 





Officers
The Officer of Elections must know all the duties of each election official. It is his/her
responsibility to ensure that all the duties of the Election Officials are performed correctly.

In addition to knowing the responsibilities of each election official, the Officer of Elections must:


  • Assign site responsibilities to election officials and ensure they are performed accurately and completely according to election commission requirements. 
  • Maintain order at the polling site. 
  • Ensure the secrecy of the ballot is preserved. 
  • Ensure voter eligibility has been determined. 
  • Ensure required supplies are provided .
  • Responsible for customer service and emergency management of polling site.
  • Any discrepancy or irregularity in procedure requires a call to the Election Commission office for a ruling.  
  • Review all paperwork completed by election officials for accuracy and completeness. 


Judges
Judges are responsible for set-up and operation of the voting machines, encoding voter
access cards, and polling site operation. Judges will also assist the Officer with processing
voters in a friendly and professional manner.

Judges will be assigned for each of the following:

  • Voter Signature List 
  • Quality control checkpoint for paperwork, including provisional ballots.
  • Manual encode voter access card 
  • Voting Machines 
  • Provisional Ballot Box 

Registrars and Assistant Registrars 
It is the responsibility of the Registrars and Assistant Registrars (or Judges if no Registrars
assigned) to verify voters’ eligibility to vote in the precinct, explain the voting process and answer voter questions.


Provisional Ballot Clerks 
The Provisional Ballot Clerk will be responsible for accurate completion of all Provisional
(paper) Ballots and related paperwork, including the green or orange ballot envelope,
manual ballot applications, voter registration forms, change forms, etc. The Provisional
Ballot Clerk will also perform other duties at the site as needed or directed by the officer.

Poll worker training and compensation





For information on poll worker training and compensation, contact the Hardeman County Election Commission office at 731-658-4751.