City Clerk's Office

Election Officials, or Poll Workers, facilitate the right to vote and maintain order at the polls on Election Day. They ensure that our elections are open, fair, impartial, and trusted.One of the most rewarding ways to become involved in the election process is to become an Election Official.

We are at capacity for all 2021 elections.

Thank you for your interest in becoming an Election Official (Poll Worker). We have 6,000 Election Officials (poll workers) currently registered with our office.  We are fully staffed for the February 16, 2021 Spring Primary and the April 6, 2021 elections. If you would be interested in signing up for 2022 elections, and beyond, please complete an online application. Newsletters and a scheduling survey will be sent out in Fall 2021 to those who have submitted applications during 2021.

Apply to be an Election Official

Pay

The City of Madison pays its Election Officials an hourly living wage, which is adjusted annually for inflation. The 2020 living wage is $13.62 an hour. Election Officials will earn an additional $8.17 an hour for their time at the polls on August 11 and on November 3, 2020, for a total of $21.79 an hour.

The City of Madison Payroll requires a Form W-4, Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate before it will issue paychecks. New Election Officials need to complete a W-4 form and return it to the City Clerk's office prior to Election Day. Starting in 2020, new Election Officials must also complete Wisconsin form WT-4. Forms W4 and WT-4 only need to be submitted once. 

Election Officials may choose to receive pay via direct deposit by submitting a Direct Deposit Authorization Agreement. Be sure to use the correct routing number from a check, not a deposit slip. Routing numbers for direct deposit never begin with a "5".

To cancel direct deposit, submit a Direct Deposit Termination form.

High School Students

High School students must submit an Authorization Form signed by the parent/guardian and the High School principal for each election. Learn more about becoming a Student Election Official.

Employer Certification

Employers (other than the City of Madison) that pay their employees to work at the polls on Election Day may require proof that their employees worked without pay. Election Officials who need this certification may print and bring the Election Official Certification for Employer to the polls.

Assignments

Approximately five weeks before each election, Election Officials who indicated availability on their scheduling survey will receive an email message providing their assignment and a link to the training schedule. All scheduling communications are best handled via email to madisonvotes@cityofmadison.com. Phone calls are less efficient and effective.

Why am I a poll worker?