Becoming an Election Official
Frequently Asked Questions about Becoming an Election Official
Be at least 18 years of age.
To be a paid Election Official, you must be at least 18 years of age. High school students and those under the age of 18 are welcome to volunteer their time for community service hours, etc. We will provide an official letter with the number of hours worked.
Be a Registered voter in Benton County.
You must be a resident and a registered voter of Benton County. High School student volunteers and those under the age of 18 are the only exception.
Be comfortable learning how to work election equipment.
You must be comfortable with basic technology to be an Election Official. You will be looking up voters in an electronic Poll Book and teaching voters how to use our Express Vote machines and DS200 tabulators.
Be able to work a 13–15 hour day (depending upon the election).
On Election Day, you are expected to arrive at your assigned vote center no later than 7:00am and work until approximately 8:00pm. Shift times vary across vote centers depending upon how many voters are still in line at the time the polls close (7:30pm). Election Officials work until all voters in line by 7:30pm have cast their ballots and the vote center has been cleaned up and all materials have been properly stored.
Be able to stand and sit for long periods of time.
Election Officials are rotated through a series of different positions throughout the day. These include greeting voters, checking in voters, directing voters to Express Vote machines, and monitoring voter placement of ballots into the DS200 tabulator.
Be available to work BOTH the Primary and General Elections in even numbered years.
Legislation has recently changed in Arkansas allowing for only two elections per year. The Benton County Election Commission needs people who are available to work both the Primary AND General election(s) in even numbered years. We will give you a schedule in advance so that you can mark your calendars.
Be able to read and write the English language.
Additionally, there is a great need for those who are bilingual to help with translation services at our vote centers. If you are bilingual, it is important that you can both speak AND be able to translate the written word.
Be courteous, efficient, and professional when dealing with voters and your fellow Election Officials.
Be conscientious of and follow procedure(s) set out in Arkansas Election Law.
Be willing to attend a one-day training class.
Election Official training is mandated under Arkansas election law. Training is held at the Benton County Election Commission office (1428 W. Walnut, Rogers, AR). Participants must be able to pass a twenty question test at the end of class in order to work as an Election Official.
No, all Poll Workers are paid for the time they work.
Start by filling out an online application and submit it to the Benton County Election Commission. If your application is selected, you will notified by our office and you will be required to complete additional paperwork and attend a mandatory training class prior to working. Click here to Apply.
Yes, all Poll workers are required by Arkansas Election Law to be trained and pass a test before every Primary Election. 8-hour training classes are scheduled prior to a Primary and General Elections.
A normal Election Day is 7:00 a.m. to around 8:00 p.m.; however, the Election Supervisor will contact you to let you know what time to be at the polls for set-up. Election Officials, typically work until the polls close.
In an even-numbered Election year, there will be a Primary in March, and a possibly a Primary Run-off four weeks later. The General Election will be held in November, and possibly a General Election Run-off four weeks later. The size of the election will determine the number of election officials needed, so you may not work every election. We utilize a web based program called Election Worker that will email you potential election dates.
