Employment at elections - Polling Station Inspector

Polling Station Inspectors act as a point of contact for Polling Staff at the Polling Places they are assigned and to respond to any issues that occur in their area prior to and during the poll, providing support and advice where appropriate.  To ensure voters that voters are able cast their vote in secret, free from influence and in a calm atmosphere. 

Polling Stations are open from 7am until 10pm. On polling day, staff are required to arrive at their polling station by 6.30am to set it up in time for opening and should not leave the premises during polling hours.

You will be paid as per the scale of fees for the Poll.

As a Polling Station Inspector you will:

• Comply with any instructions given to you
• Ensure polling staff are fulfilling their roles
• Ensure that all electors are treated impartially, with respect and in a helpful, polite and professional manner
• Maintain the secrecy of the ballot

Before election day Polling Station Inspectors are required to

• Complete the online polling staff training and attend a briefing session
• Comply with the Returning Officer’s instructions
• Collect spare ballot box(es), supplementary election materials and spare postal ballot packs which must be kept secure
• Be familiar with the polling stations assigned to visit

On election day Polling Station Inspectors are required to

• Be ready to work in your assigned area at 06.30am and visit all Polling Stations assigned
• Ensure that Polling Stations are laid out and opened promptly at 7am and are operating effectively
• Observe and enforce the requirement for secrecy and security of the Polling Place and act impartially at all times
• Offer a point of contact for Presiding Officers in their assigned Polling Stations and offer guidance and support where required on basic procedural matters
• Be polite and professional when dealing with all staff, voters and visitors to the Polling Station, remaining politically impartial at all times
• Visit assigned polling stations to be made throughout the day and undertake the following:

• collect postal votes and return to the Elections Office completing necessary paperwork
• check all statutory notices and correct signage are properly displayed throughout the day
• deliver any missing or additional equipment that is required
• check the layout of the station and advise the Presiding Officer (or PO1) if changes are advised
• ensure the ballot box is situated in a secure position, where it can be seen at all times by the Presiding Officer and limits crossover in multiple stations
• adjudicate on fly-posting around and in the Polling Station
• ensure accesses are not being impeded or voters intimidated by any action of tellers, candidates or agents and report any activity of this nature to the Elections Office / Police
• ensure that all access points are clear and available to those with special requirements
• monitor busy stations in particular for queues
• ensure voters can cast their vote in secret, free from influence and in a calm atmosphere
• complete a checklist report for each Polling Station
• liaise with, and make the Elections Office aware of any problems or conduct issues

• At a UK Parliamentary election only, be aware of guidance around the requirement for Voter Identification checks in polling stations
• Be familiar with any special equipment or devices to help voters with disabilities
• Observe all health and safety arrangements in respect of staff, voters and visitors and be aware of manual handling.

At the close of poll, Presiding Officers are required to:

• Co-ordinate with Presiding Officer(s) and assist Ballot Box Collection drivers and the Elections Office to return all ballot and blue boxes to the Count Centre at the close of Poll. 

A Polling Inspector will work for approximately 16 – 18 hours on election day. You will be required to take appropriate breaks throughout the day to avoid tiredness.

A Polling Inspector is not permitted to have carried out duties on behalf of any political party or candidate at the election. All staff will be required to sign their agreement to this and to maintain the secrecy of the poll.

Essential

• Experience of having worked at a Polling Station
• Good communication skills and ability to explain procedures to a range of people in a calm and assertive manner  
• Commitment to customer care and equal opportunities
• Ability to work independently under pressure
• Access to a car which is also insured for Business Use
• Good timekeeping
• Ability to remain politically neutral
• Not connected to, nor will assist, any candidate or party at the election
• Compliance with requirement for secrecy and instructions regarding the use of social media
• Acceptance of waiving the Working Time Directive for the period of employment
• Basic numeracy

Desirable

• Previous line-management or supervisory experience
• Previous customer-service experience
• Diplomacy and tact when working with members of the public
• Working knowledge of the electoral process