Applying to work for the Elections Team
Have you ever thought of getting involved at election time by either working at a polling station or at the count? Do you have some spare time, usually around October/November, to go door-knocking as part of the annual canvass of households? Shropshire Council’s Elections Team is always looking for new people to help us, and would love to hear from you if you are interested in becoming involved.
Eligibility
You must be at least 18 years of age to work in a polling station staff or assist with the annual canvass, whereas you need only be 16 years of age to work as a counting assistant. You must also be entitled to work in the UK (in accordance with the provisions of the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996).
- If successful, prior to taking up your appointment, you must provide evidence of your eligibility to work in the UK by showing us either:
- your valid passport, or
- your birth certificate and proof of National Insurance Number (eg. P60, P45, payslip, etc.).
- Polling and count staff must not work on behalf of a candidate during an election campaign, nor be related to a prospective candidate.
- Polling and count staff must consent to working in excess of the normal working hours provided for by the Working Time Directive.
Have you got what it takes to join us?
We are always looking to recruit motivated and dynamic staff to fill any vacancies that occur. A brief description of the jobs available is as follows:
Presiding Officers and Poll Clerks
The polling station staff are appointed by the Returning Officer, and are responsible for the conduct of the ballot, making sure that the proper procedures for voting are followed. On the day of the election, polling station staff must be on duty from 6.30am until shortly after 10pm. All staff employed to work at a polling station must attend a training session before taking up their appointment.
Counting Assistants
Counting assistants are employed to verify and count the votes cast at polling stations, together with the postal votes received in the run-up to polling day. Verification usually takes place after the polls close (10pm on polling day), with the actual counting of votes either later that evening, or the following morning. The Count is usually held in Shrewsbury, but depending on the type of elections, it is sometimes necessary to have additional count venues in the north and south of the county as well.
Canvass Staff
Canvassers are employed to make personal visits to properties where the occupants have not responded to the annual canvass form sent to them by post.
How to apply
Please take a moment to read the full Job Descriptions below. Then download and complete the relevant Application Form(s) from the list and send your completed Application Form(s) to The Elections Team, Shropshire Council, The Shirehall, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, SY2 6N.