Have you ever gone to bed dreaming about working the polls for an important election? Assisting clueless voters in the voting process, counting slips of paper that dictate the future of your county, agreeing to the sworn secrecy that comes with the job, then woken up in a blissful state, hoping it wasn’t just a dream?
Dream no more, San Franciscans. Let’s spend that wasted time finding the sandwich replacement for Ike’s, instead. The Department of Elections is now accepting applications for poll workers for the upcoming November 2 Consolidated General Election. Although the Department has already recruited many poll workers, there are still openings in the following San Francisco ‘hoods: Balboa Terrace, Haight-Ashbury, Forest Hill, Inner Sunset, Marina, the Mission, North Beach, Pacific Heights, Potrero Hill, Presidio, Presidio Heights, Seacliff, Twin Peaks, and Upper Market.
While common sense and a cheerful disposition are undoubtedly prerequisites, working the polls also requires a training class beforehand. Lead poll workers, the queen (or king) bees of polling, must pick up materials before Election Day and have the transport them to the assigned polling place, the morning of the election. Early birds encouraged; night owls need not apply.
Aspiring poll workers must be citizens of the United States, 18 or older, and
registered to vote in California. However, in true, politically correct, San Francisco style, the Department of Elections is also encouraging bilingual, non-citizens who speak Cantonese, Mandarin, or Spanish to work as translators. Unfortunately, the week you spent doing research on Rosarito’s nightlife that spring break in college, is not grounds for bilingualism. However, your good intentions are appreciated.
The positions are one-day assignments only, and pay between $125-$170. Aspiring applicants must complete the online application. Further information can be given by the Department of Elections’ Pollworker
Division at (415) 554-4395.
Off to work, polling birds and bees!
