• Job Title: Presiding Officer
• Job Type: Supervisory

Description of duties

The role of the polling station staff is to ensure that voters are able to cast their vote in secret, free from influence and in a calm atmosphere.

Polling Stations are open from 7.00 a.m. until 10.00 p.m. On polling day, staff are required to arrive at the polling station sufficiently early to set up the equipment in time for opening. In order to maintain the secrecy of the vote and safeguard the integrity of the process, staff should not leave the premises during polling hours.

Presiding Officers are responsible for the conduct of the ballot in the polling stations, and they must have a good knowledge of the voting procedures.

The Role

• To comply with any instructions from the Returning Officer.
• To take charge of the polling station.
• To ensure that voter identification is asked for and checked before ballot papers are issued in line with Elections Act 2022.
• To ensure that all electors are treated impartially and with respect, Supporting disabled voters throughout the voting process if required.
• To maintain the secrecy of the ballot.
• To supervise the Poll Clerk(s) at the polling station.

Duties

Before Polling Day

• Undertake any training sessions and briefings provided by the Electoral Services office.
• Liaise with the contact person for the designated polling station, well before polling day, to confirm arrangements for the opening and closing of the building.
• Visit the polling station to ensure polling day arrangements are in place.
• In a multiple polling station, make contact with other presiding officer(s).
• Make contact with poll clerk(s) to check travel arrangements to and from polling station and to brief poll clerks on the necessary procedures.
• Collect the ballot box and check contents before the poll and keep secure.

On Polling Day

• Transport ballot box and contents to polling station.
• Erect polling booths. This involves some lifting.
• Organise the layout of the polling station, taking all voter needs into account.
• Ensure the polling station is opened on time.
• Ensure that all signs and instructions are clear, visible and remain in place.
• Keep the polling station neat and tidy.
• Instruct and supervise the work of the poll clerk(s).
• Ensure that voter identification is asked for and checked before ballot papers are issued.
• Ensure electors understand the new voter identification requirements, including what constitutes an acceptable form of ID.
• Account for, and be responsible for, all ballot papers, issued and unissued.
• Responsible for refusing a voter ballot paper where no ID is presented; or you do not consider the ID to be a good likeness; or consider it to be a forgery.
• Check and mark electors’ electoral numbers in the register of electors and on the corresponding numbers lists.
• Issue ballot papers to voters.
• Ensure that voters cast their votes in secret and put them into the (correct) ballot box.
• Support disabled voters throughout the voting process, providing assistance to voters where appropriate.
• Receive postal votes delivered by hand.
• Manage the attendance of those entitled to be present in the polling station, for example, candidates, agents, representatives of the Electoral Commission and observers and ensure they do not interfere with the voting process.
• Comply with any instructions from the Returning Officer and their staff.
• Be polite and professional at all times.
• Monitor the activities of tellers outside polling places.

Close of Poll

• Ensure the polling station is closed on time.
• Supervise the dismantling of the polling station and ensure tidiness.
• Completion of the ballot paper account and all other paperwork.
• Deliver the Ballot Box and associated paperwork to the Count location as designated by the Returning Officer.

Additional details

Hours / days required: Polling day 6:30am – 10:30pm approx

Based at: Any polling station within the area

• You will be required to sign the Working Time Directive waiver for period of employment.
• You must provide your own refreshments and take appropriate breaks throughout the day to avoid tiredness. Polling station staff are not permitted to leave the premises during hours of poll.
• The Returning Officer is not permitted to employ anyone who is/or has carried out duties on behalf of any political party or candidate at the election.
• All staff will be required to sign their agreement to maintain the secrecy of the poll.

Person Specification

Knowledge

Working knowledge of the electoral process is essential to apply for this role.

Skills and abilities

• Experience of having worked at a polling station on at least 2 other occasions.
• Ability to work independently under pressure.
• Previous line management or supervisory experience is desirable, but not needed.
• We also desire for you to have previous customer service experience.

Other essentials

• Ability to remain politically neutral.
• Good timekeeping.
• Fully literate and numerate.
• Access to own car which is insured for Business Use.
• You must not have been convicted of an offence under Electoral Legislation.
• The act of diplomacy and tactness when working with the public is desirable, but not required.