Bucks County is recruiting election workers to staff more than 300 polling locations across the county, including in the Doylestown and Buckingham area, for the Tuesday, Nov. 3 midterm election.
The county's Board of Elections launched its recruitment push on Wednesday, Aug. 12, timed to National Poll Worker Recruitment Day. Poll workers can earn up to $195 for a full day, with additional pay for mandatory training sessions. Half-day shifts are also available.
Tom P., a Buckingham Township resident who worked the last two elections, said the preparation made the job manageable. "Training was provided and I felt comfortable with the assigned responsibilities," he said in the county's recruitment announcement. "It was a rewarding experience that I recommend to anyone who wants to get involved in public matters."
Who can serve
Applicants must be registered voters in Bucks County. High school students who are 17 can also serve through the county's Youth at the Booth program. Under state rules, student poll workers must be juniors or seniors in good academic standing and need written permission from both a parent or guardian and their school principal.
Election Day runs from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and workers must be available for setup before polls open and closing procedures afterward.
Positions available
The county listed four roles:
- Judge of Elections — oversees the polling place
- Majority/Minority Inspectors — greet voters and check them in on the poll book
- Clerks — help check in voters and distribute paper ballots
- Machine Inspectors — assist voters scanning their ballots
Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt, speaking at a statewide recognition event on Aug. 12, said counties across the state need recruits, particularly bilingual workers who speak Spanish or Mandarin.
Why it matters now
The November midterm includes competitive Bucks County Senate races in the 6th and 16th districts. Under Pennsylvania's Election Code, poll worker pay ranges from $75 to $200 per day statewide; the $195 Bucks County rate is near the top of that scale.
How to apply
Residents can sign up at BucksCounty.gov/Elections or fill out the Pennsylvania Poll Worker Interest Form. No specific application deadline has been announced, but the county is accepting sign-ups on a rolling basis ahead of Nov. 3.
