THANK YOU!
To each and every Precinct Elections Official during 2025!
If you would like to be a PEO during the 2026 election cycle,
please contact the Erie County Board of Elections:
419.627.7601 – Main
You can serve as a Poll Worker – officially known as a Precinct Elections Official (PEO) – if you:
- are a U.S. Citizen.
- are at least 18 years of age and registered to vote OR 17 years old and a senior in high school.
- are a resident of the county in which you plan to serve as a PEO.
- are not running as a candidate in the election in which you plan to work as a PEO.
- have not been convicted of a felony.
The last several election cycles has brought many challenges due to COVID-19 and lies about ‘rigged’ elections. At this point, we do not know what 2026 will bring. However. Republicans have been working hard to ensure not only Ohioans, but all Americans have a more difficult time accessing voting opportunities. To ensure all precincts are open and available to voters so that long lines nor long waits do not occur, it is imperative enough poll workers are available to work the precincts during every election. Otherwise, if there are not enough PEOs to staff the polling sites, we may see consolidation or closure of precincts which will result in longer lines, longer waits and less social distancing which will spread the viruses within our community. Unfortunately, COVID and many flu viruses are here to stay no matter what the season!
As a PEO, you will be trained, paid training pay and paid for your day of working the polls on Election Day. This is a GREAT way to get a front row seat to democracy on Election Day staffing a polling site and doing your part for our local community, state and country!
If you are interested in being a PEO, please call the Erie County Board of Elections – 419.627.7601 – and ask for Adrienne James, Deputy Director or e-mail the Erie County Board of Elections. You’ll be glad you did!
Erie County Precinct Election Officials (PEOs): FACTS!
- Erie County has 62 precincts with four poll workers hired per precinct: Two Democrats and two Republicans. The goal is to hire an equal number of Democratic and Republican poll workers.
- Many locations in Erie County are multi-precinct locations – meaning there is more than one precinct within one voting location. A two-precinct location will have eight poll workers assigned to it; a three-precinct location will have 12 poll workers assigned to it.
- Election Day is a full day, with poll workers expected to arrive at their assigned polling location at 5:45am, and stay until after the polls close – usually between 8:00pm and 8:30pm. Polls are open from 6:30am to 7:30pm.
- Pay for working the polls is $130.00.
- Training before working the polls is required. Training pay depends on the position: Voting Location Managers (VLMs) are paid $30.00; Signature Judges are paid $25.00; Ballot judges and Clerks are paid $20.00. Training takes place at the Erie County Board of Elections a few weeks before the election. Poll workers are given several classes to choose from based on what fits their schedule.
- VLMs who pick up supplies the day before the election receive an extra $10.00. VLMs who drop off supplies on Election Day night receive an extra $20.00 if they work in Vermilion or Florence, an extra $16.00 if they work anywhere elese in the county, and an extra $10.00 if they work in Sandusky or Perkins.
- Opposite party ride-backs who accompany the VLM back to the Board of Elections to drop off supplies receive an extra $10.00.
- The party of the VLM is determined by how the precinct they are serving in voted in the last governor’s race. If more electors in the precinct voted for the Democratic candidate for governor, then the VLM is a Democrat. If more electors in the precinct voted for the Republican candidate for governor, then the VLM is a Republican.
- Poll workers receive their check and a post-election survey in the mail approximately two to three weeks after the election.
- As per the Secretary of State, PEOs will be trained/informed about any health and safety protocols.
Volunteer an hour or all day!
There are many activities that need your expertise!
- Volunteer to help a candidate
- Contact ODP for volunteer opportunities
- Literature Canvassing – lit and addresses provided
- Phone Calling – script provided
- Sending postcards to remind voters to vote
- Write Letters To The Editor – sample letters provided
- Assist at voter registration events throughout our community
- Staff ECDP Headquarters – currently closed
- Post yard signs and/or 3×5 mini billboards in your yard and area
- Assist with staffing the Erie County Fair tent
- Assist with Erie County Parades – for more information, please visit here
- What is YOUR idea – What would YOU like to do?