The Wisconsin Elections Commission encourages every eligible citizen to vote and to become involved in the election process. One of the most rewarding ways to do this is to become an Election Day poll worker (also known as an election inspector).
Citizen involvement is essential to conduct open, accurate and fair elections in Wisconsin. We hope that you will consider participation in one of these positions.
There are several different jobs at polling places in Wisconsin, all of which are appointed by municipal clerks.
Election Inspector
Election inspectors help check voters in at the polling place and register them to vote, as well as issuing them ballots. Election inspectors receive training from the municipal clerk or online from the Wisconsin Elections Commission. They must be residents of the county where they will be working.
Chief Election Inspector
The Chief Election Inspector serves as the lead election official at a polling place and has additional training requirements. In order to become a Chief Election Inspector, you must complete online or in-person baseline training which lasts about two hours. Chief Election Inspectors must be residents of the town, village or city where they serve as a chief inspector (in a pinch a Chief Inspector can be from the county).
Greeters or Election Registration Officials
Each polling place can have one person appointed as an official Greeter who must be a resident of the county where they serve. Greeters can also help at a polling place by making sure voters are in the correct line and assist with sanitization efforts. Election Registration Officials, or EROs, must be residents of the county in which they serve and help voters registering to vote on Election Day. Both greeters and EROs must take some training before Election Day about the job they will be doing.
Tabulator
Tabulators assist with ballot counting after the polls close on election day. State law does not make any specific residency requirements of these individuals.
Polling Place Helper
Some elections may need polling place helpers to keep the polling place organized. Depending on the clerk and the election, you may be able to volunteer to help out at a polling place by making sure voters are in the correct lines, assist with enforcing social distancing, and making sure the polling place is properly cleaned throughout the day. Citizens who just want to help with these tasks on election day do not need to meet any training or residency requirements.