Working For Elections
Are you interested in some temporary work with Cardiff Council in May? We are currently looking for people to help us run the Local Government Elections on May 5. We would like to hear from you if you are interested in being involved as a Poll Clerk or Presiding Officer. We are not currently taking applications for counting or postal vote opening roles.
Polling staff must not work on behalf of a candidate during the election campaign or be related to a prospective candidate. You will also need to attend an online training session, to make sure you’re knowledgeable and confident on the day.
Working as polling staff, you will be responsible for the conduct of the ballot on the day of the election.
You can apply for both roles – however to be a Presiding Officer you need to have been a poll clerk on two previous occasions. You can apply to be a Poll Clerk without any election experience, using your transferable skills.
Apply now!
Job Description
Poll Clerk
The role of polling station staff is to ensure that voters can cast their vote in secret, free from influence and in a calm atmosphere.
Poll Clerks assist the Presiding Officer to run a polling station. You will 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.
You will also monitor any queues that form outside the polling station, and ensure the station remains a clean and safe environment for electors.
Polling stations are open all day on the day of poll, and you will need time to set up before the polls commence. This means you will be working from 6:30am to 10pm when the polls shut. During this time, you will not be able to leave the premises.
Before the day of poll, you will attend an online training session. This will give you an awareness of how the poll runs and give you the confidence to support your Presiding Officer.
Poll Clerks do not have the responsibilities of the Presiding Officer, but they should know all the procedures for voting and how to deal with any problems.
Main duties
• Assist with the layout of the polling station and prepare for the opening of the poll
• Check that electors are eligible to vote in the elections and at this polling station.
• Issue only those ballot papers which electors are eligible to receive.
• Check and mark voters’ against the register of electors.
• On the corresponding number list, write the voter’s elector number against the number of the ballot paper issued.
• Always maintain the secrecy of the ballot.
• Follow any of your Presiding Officers instructions throughout the day.
• Assist the Presiding Officer to complete necessary procedures after the close of poll.
Apply now → https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=lSs1xtlwAkeId8aLiOsbJj00yhTwq1pPvj9BVjvSQqpUNDFBNlcyV0xKM0tWMVRXV0lVRjhPSEFLUS4u
Presiding Officer
Job Description
The role of polling station staff is to ensure that voters can cast their vote in secret, free from influence and in a calm atmosphere. Presiding Officers are responsible for the conduct of the ballot in the polling station, and they should have a sound knowledge of the voting procedures.
As a Presiding Officer you will be responsible for complying with all instructions and ensuring the integrity and secrecy of the ballot.
You will assign work to the Poll Clerk(s), ensuring the accuracy of the poll and account for all the ballot papers. You will be responsible for collecting and delivering your ballot box and you have the responsibility of contacting the key holder to arrange for the opening, setting up and closing of your station.
Main Duties
• Ensure the secrecy and security of the ballot.
• Organise the layout of the polling station and liaise, if required, with the key-holder of the building.
• Instruct and supervise the work of Poll Clerks.
• Open and close the polling station on time.
• Account and be responsible for all the ballot papers, paperwork, and the ballot box.
• Ensure that only those ballot papers which electors are eligible to receive are issued.
• Ensure that the proper procedure for voting is followed, ensuring that the corresponding number list is marked correctly.
• Manage the attendance of those entitled to be present in the polling station and ensure that they do not interfere with the voting process
• Monitor the activities of tellers outside polling places to ensure that they do not interfere with the voting process.
• Ensure that all signs and notices are clear, visible and remain in place throughout the day.
Apply now → https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=lSs1xtlwAkeId8aLiOsbJj00yhTwq1pPvj9BVjvSQqpURVlJTFkyVDVKNFlaOFg3N0JYSEFUQTBPRC4u
Want some more information?
We ask students to email us on electoralservices@cardiff.gov.uk to express interest of working with us and we will send you an invite to a teams meeting for a Q&A session to give you the chance to ask any questions before applying! The times are;
- Thursday 10th 1-2pm
- Tuesday 15th 4-5pm.