Become a Poll Worker

The Mercer County Board of Elections is now hiring qualified New Jersey residents to assist as board workers for this year’s General Election. 

Training is required and will be provided. If you are interested, please fill out the application below.

Citizens of all ages, including college and high school students over the age of 16, are encouraged to apply.   Applicants must be registered to vote in Mercer County and may not be running as a candidate in the election.  (Mercer County Board of Elections participates in a state-wide program that hires high school students for half-day shifts.)  You must also be able to read and write legibly and lift at least 25 pounds, the weight of a voting machine. 

Voting has now moved electronic, and voters now have options to vote on a touchscreen or to print a paper ballot.  Workers will no longer have to fumble through pages of paper.  Simply type in the first three letters of the first and last names to find the voter.   For early voting you will use a touch screen that will print a paper ballot and on election day voters will be handed a paper ballot to vote.  Board worker training will include new material on the electronic options. 

Full Day & Half Day Positions are available.

• Send your application to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • 2021 New Board Worker Application - https://www.mercercounty.org/home/showpublisheddocument/20319/637547223180970000
  • 2021 Early Voting Board Worker Application -

https://www.mercercounty.org/home/showpublisheddocument/20938/637640914711930000

Board Worker Reappointment Form - https://www.mercercounty.org/home/showpublisheddocument/20289/637540858933170000

• Student Board Worker Application - https://www.mercercounty.org/home/showpublisheddocument/20285/637540857434730000

• Attend Training session.
• Set up and operation of voting machines, equipment, and supplies required.
• Process the voters on Election Day or during the Early Voting Period.
• Pickup and/or return Election Days supplies if selected (with additional pay of $12.50 each way per bag).

Compensation

Election Day - Per Executive Order 266
A full day shift is $300.  Hours are 5:15 am – 8:30 pm.  A half day shift is $150.  The early shift runs from 5:15 am – 1 pm.  The late shift runs from 1:00 pm – 8:30 pm.  The hours for students may vary.

Early Voting Days

There are no half day shifts: full days only.
Board Workers will earn $14.29 per hour on in-person early voting days.
A Supervising Board Worker will receive $21.44 per hour.

Training Session

Earn an additional $30 when you attend required training provided by the Mercer County Board of Elections and you fulfill your commitment at the polls.

Dates

Workers are needed for the November General Election (November 2, 2021, and the Early Voting Period, Saturday, October 23 thru Sunday, October 31.  Monday thru Saturday hours are 9:15 am to 8:15 pm.  Sunday hours are 9:15 am to 6:15 pm.)  For more information, please visit the Mercer County Board of Elections at https://www.mercercounty.org/boards-commissions/board-of-elections.

Please do your part to assist your community in ensuring that the 2021 General Election in New Jersey is conducted with great competence and responsiveness to the public.