Become an Election Inspector (poll worker)

The Village of Mukwonago encourages all citizens to vote and to become involved in the
election process. One of the most rewarding ways to contribute is to service your community as
an Election Inspector (poll worker).

Citizen involvement is essential in conducting open, accurate and fair elections. We hope that
you will consider participating in the election process by signing up to be an election inspector.
Generally, the Village staffs the polling place with 25 election inspectors. For a Presidential
Election, an additional 10 election inspectors are needed. To help you make an informed
decision before applying for the position, please review the following information.

Responsibilities of an Election Inspector

Election Inspectors conduct assigned duties at the polling site on Election Day. General
duties include: organizing the polling place before the polls open; election day voter
registration; checking in voters on the poll book, reviewing the voter’s photo ID, and
assigning each voter in the poll book a sequential election day voter number; issuing
ballots; assisting voters and providing instruction as necessary; processing absentee
ballots; monitoring the voting equipment; and signing and assisting with paperwork for
the Village and County.

Hours of Work

Polling places are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Election Inspectors work a full day,
generally from 6:30 a.m. until approximately 9:00 p.m. or later in the case of November
elections. Breaks and lunch/dinner hours are allowed and determined by the Chief
Election Inspector.

Compensation

Election Inspectors are compensated for working at the polling place and for attending
training sessions. The current pay for Election Inspectors is about $117.00 per Election
Day.

Training Requirements

Training is provided throughout the year
A chief election inspector who has been certified by the Wisconsin Election Commission
must be present at the polling place for every election. Chief Election Inspectors and
Alternate Chief Election Inspectors must receive six hours of continuing education
training during each two-year period. There is additional pay for those serving in these
positions.

Length of Commitment

Election Inspectors are appointed to two-year terms. However, committing to an
election or being available to fill in at the last moment is also appreciated.

Qualifications

To be an Election Inspector, a person must:

Be a qualified elector of a county in which the municipality where the official serves is
located;
Be able to speak, read, and write fluently in the English language;
Have strong clerical skills;
Be able to solve problems;
Work as a team;
Enjoy people and service to others;
Be an effective communicator; and
NOT be a candidate for any office to be voted on at the polling place at the election.

High School Election Inspectors

High School students are encouraged to work as election inspectors. A student who is
16 or 17 years of age and who is enrolled in grades 9-12 in public or private high school
and has at least a 3.0 GPA may serve as an election inspector with the approval of the
student’s parent or guardian. The municipal clerk must receive written authorization
from the student’s parent or guardian for the student to serve for the election for which
he or she is appointed.

The school board (or governing body of a private school) may establish criteria for
service by a student that does not have a 3.0 GPA. If a pupil does not have at least a
3.0 GPA or equivalent, the municipal clerk shall obtain written certification from the
principal of the student’s school that the student meets any criteria established by the
school board (or governing body of a private school) for service as an inspector.

Wisconsin law requires every employer to grant an unpaid leave of absence to each employee
who is appointed to serve as an election official, if the employee who serves as an election
official, provides his or her employer with at least 7 days’ notice. The leave is for the entire 24-
hour period of each Election Day in which the employee serves in his or her official capacity as
an election official. Upon request of any employer, municipal clerks must verify appointments.

Election inspectors may not serve at an election where their spouse or immediate family
member is a candidate on the ballot, or under other circumstances where a candidate’s success
or failure to win election would affect the election inspector financially. You would need to
contact the Clerk’s Office if this impacts you at a particular election.

Please contact the Village Clerk’s Office at 262-363-6420 extension 2103, and we will mail or
email you an application.