Working at a polling station
At each election we host 147 polling stations, based all over Sandwell. Polling staff are responsible for making sure everyone who is entitled to vote is able to, without facing barriers or undue influence.
We need experienced and new staff to work in these polling stations, all day on election day (Thursday 2 May 2024). Each polling station has at least two staff allocated to it, with larger stations having more staff.
Staff are needed from 6am to 10.30pm as they are required to be on shift during the whole of polling day.
Working in a polling station is not subject to the European Working Time Directive and due to this there are no guaranteed breaks during the day, and staff are not permitted to leave the station during the day.
Staff are required to bring food and drink for the duration of their shift.
If you work for Sandwell Council and you work during the day at a polling station, you will be given a day's special leave from your usual job on Thursday 2 May 2024 to enable you to do this. If you want the following day (Friday 3 May) off from work, you will need to book this from your own leave.
There are two different roles in a polling station – Presiding Officers and Poll Clerks. Training will be provided for these roles.
Register to work at the 2024 elections in Sandwell
Presiding Officers
Presiding Officers are responsible for conduct in their polling station and must have a good knowledge of voting procedures. They have normally worked as a Poll Clerk before and will be responsible for complying with all instructions and ensuring the integrity and secrecy of the ballot.
Presiding Officers assign work to the Poll Clerk or Clerks at their polling station, ensuring the accuracy of the poll and accounting for all of the ballot papers. They are also responsible for collecting and delivering ballot boxes to the polling station and then to the count venue. Presiding Officers are responsible for opening and closing their polling station on polling day.
Presiding Officers have overall responsibility for their allocated polling station and must comply with the law and instructions of the Returning Officer to ensure the polling station is run correctly.
Download the job description for Presiding Officers.
Poll Clerks
Poll Clerks assist the Presiding Officer to run a polling station. They help to set up polling station equipment, assist in the issue of ballot papers to members of the public, mark the electoral register and assist in the accurate completion of paperwork.
Poll clerks will need to complete online training before polling day.
Before the election, if you're allocated to a polling station, the Presiding Officer for that station will contact you and talk you through the arrangements for the day.
Download the job description for Poll Clerks.
Sign up to work in a polling station
If you’ve previously worked on election day as a Polling Clerk or Presiding Officer for Sandwell Council, we already have your details and the elections team will be in touch with you about your role.
If you volunteered to work at previous elections before they were postponed, we will contact you.
If you would like to work as a Presiding Officer or a Poll Clerk and you have not worked as one before, please fill in this form to let us know you are interested.