LA Election Poll Worker - How I Just Got This New Temporary Paid Job
Earlier today I heard on the radio that LA County had a drastic shortage of election poll workers. A link to apply was provided. What got my attention was the pay. It was not a lot, but some nice pocket money.
They paid you $80 to get trained. They paid you $100 for each day you worked at the polling station. The maximum number of days you could work is four.
I expect to pick up a cool $480 for this stint.
The Qualifications
- Must be over 18
- Have all your COVID shots,
- Provide a valid home address, phone number, email address, and Social Security Number
- Take an online test and pass.
- Take a live class and pass.
I immediately filled in an application form online and got a message that once I was approved, I would get an Email with portal login details as well as a phone call from an administrator.
In the afternoon I had to go to Walmart to pick up a prescription and some groceries. As I got into my car to return home, I got a phone call. They wanted to know how many days I could work Since I have loads of free time I said all four.
Voting Days
California Primary Election Day is June 7 The polls are also open on the 4,5 and 6. They found a location close to home where I could work all four days. I was told that this was not a busy area and I would have loads of free time.
I naturally asked if I could use my phone. They said sure. Guess what I will be doing in my free time. I suspect that traffic will be light on the 4,5 and 6. The 7th will be super busy.
The Tests
I took the online test this evening. It took three hours and addressed so many aspects of the voting process. They had multiple-choice tests after each section. In the end, they had a set of 20 questions on the complete course. The minimum pass mark was 80%. This is typical of most tests. I managed a pass mark of 90%.
This first hurdle was done. Tomorrow afternoon I will be attending the live class. Hopefully, that will go well too.
Meeting New People
Since this is my first time doing something like this I am excited to see how it all goes. You see so many bizarre things reported on TV but I doubt any of that will happen here. California is a very laid-back State.
The administrator was so nice in explaining this all to me. He reassured me I would meet some very nice people there. If we get chatting about what we do, I will tell them gently about my affiliate marketing activities,
Has any other member here had the experience of an election poll worker? If so, can you share your experience here?
If you're wondering what that metallic curvy building on the cover pic left side is, it is Walt Disney Concert Hall. Home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. I'll add an inside pic of a collage of various views I took during intermission from a side seat I had at a concert. I may do a blog with more pics in a future post. Note the unusual pipe organ. It actually sounded pretty good at many organ recitals I had attended before COVID.
All the best.
Edwin
Recent Comments
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Your post made me curious about my community's poll work. I looked it up and apparently, they are needing people here too. They just have the address and phone number of the Election Commission listed so I will have to call them on Monday. I think doing this will be pretty intresting.
I have worked the last 4 years of elections. Can be fun with meeting a lot of new people.
John
Hello John,
Glad to hear you have experience with elections. I was amazed at how ingrained technology has become in just a few short years. Even though electronics are used to store the data, I like that there is a paper record kept as well.
I also found it illuminating how different California is from other states in the process. When voters register to vote, their identity records and SSN are taken.
When they come to vote, only their Name and Address are used. It is ILLEGAL to ask for their ID. The only time this is requested is if a voter is new. Also, there are no roadblocks for a person to vote.
We even considered situations when someone votes by mail and forgets it. When they are shown proof that they have, and they still say that must be a mistake, they are given a ballot to vote again provisionally. Their ballots are separated from the rest for verification later. If it is found that their mail-in ballot was correct, that is the one used. If there is a problem with that, the one cast at the polling station is used instead. So nobody can be charged with a felony for trying to vote twice.
Every kind of obstacle is resolved on the spot so that people voting in person can get a ballot. If there is any doubt, they can vote provisionally, meaning their ballot is separated from the others, and their information will be verified later.
I am sure that many other States will think this is crazy ha! The intent is to make sure that everyone who registered to vote legally is not turned away. Even if it means more work for the system. This is in contrast to some other States where the slightest discrepancy is used to discount the vote.
All training completed. I am looking forward to my first Poll Worker experience. during the voting days of 4-7 June.
Cheers.
Edwin
Some Great images here, Edwin! Good luck on the cool side job.
Another adventure awaits. Stay safe!
Jeff
Congratulations on your new job! Yes, can't say this enough about election day.
Cheers,
Myra
Hu Myra,
Yes indeed. I hope I will be able to be a Poll Worker for the MId term elections.
Cheers.
Edwin
See more comments
Hi Edwin,
I used to be an election poll worker a few years back. I thought it was interesting for the most part; however, the days were always long (i.e. 12-14 hours).
From setting booths up early, and then closing the polling place- it was exhausting at the end of the day. I've meet some interesting people along the way.
Although I've moved away from elections and the voting processes, the gigs are great to earn income and meet people.
But a great post- thank you for sharing your recent experience. It was insightful.
Regards,
-Eric
Hello Eric,
Thanks for your supportive comments. This was a spur-of-the-moment job. A few days ago poll worker was furthest from my mind.
You speak the truth about the job because what you said was exactly what the guy who I called told me. That is why I asked if I could use my phone there. During the quiet times, I hope to go through some training as well as do work on my website. Like Keyword Research and checking out competitors.
I may even ask for some advice from the people I meet, My new website is dedicated to people who have more time on their hands and don't know how to spend it. I am expecting to meet some nice folks and see how that goes.
We have many elections in the US for all kinds of things. If I like the experience I may apply again. And if I don't, I'll chalk this up as a worthwhile learning experience.
I was told that the first three days the hours will be from 9 am to 8 pm. And the last day is from 6 am to 10 pm. Sounds like I will be exhausted when I get back \home. Fortunately, I live closed to the polling center so not too much driving time.
Thanks so much for your insights.
Edwin