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? Our Elections Team is always looking to recruit motivated and dynamic staff to fill any vacancies that occur, and would love to hear from you if you're interested in becoming involved.

Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years of age to work in a polling station as staff or to 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?

A brief description of the jobs available is as follows:

Presiding officers and poll clerks

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 election it's sometimes necessary to have additional count venues in the north and south of the county as well.

How to apply

Please take a moment to read the full job descriptions attached to this page. Then download and complete the relevant application form(s) from the list and send your completed form(s) to: Elections Team, Shropshire Council, Shirehall, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury SY2 6ND.