Poll Worker: Early Voting vs. Election Day - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
There are 2 separate processes to be a Poll Worker in Orange County
I get a lot of questions from readers asking about Kelly Services and how they factor into Poll Working in Orange County. Here’s an attempt to simplify the situation.
Election Day Poll Workers are hired by The Supervisor of Elections (SOE) office in Orange County.
ALL Early Voting Poll Workers are hired by Kelly Services.
It’s important to understand there are 2 different processes for getting hired. See my earlier post Orange County Poll Workers for Primary.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why Kelly Services? The SOE has the authority to use an agency to meet the demands of the election process. There are many jobs to be filled and it is the SOEs decision to address these needs in this fashion. In the past, the SOE found it challenging to recruit and hire enough workers for Early Voting and Election Day. This year the SOE has seen an upswing in enthusiasm for Poll Workers, perhaps it will impact this process in the future. FYI - There are other jobs with the SOE for immediate work you can apply for right now on the Kelly Services website.
Can I be a Poll Worker on Election Day and during Early Voting? Yes, but you need to follow the separate process for each.
Can I be a Poll Worker and a Poll Watcher? You can’t be both at the same time, but you can do them at different times. For example, you could be a Poll Worker on Election Day, and a Poll Watcher during Early Voting.
Do I need a vaccination to work for Kelly Services? The Kelly Services website has boilerplate language about requiring vaccinations. We have asked for clarification, since requiring a vaccination would unfairly target conservatives, and possibly be illegal. I will provide an update as soon as we get clarification.
Can I pick & choose the hours I want to work with Kelly Services? If you get hired by Kelly Services it appears you will be required to work every day of Early Voting full time. That’s August 8, 2022 through August 21, 2022. Polls are open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. so you should expect to work most of those hours, or more. I have asked for confirmation of this information.
Do Early Voting Poll Workers monitor drop boxes? Yes. As an Early Voting Poll Worker, hired by Kelly Services on behalf of the Orange County SOE, you may be asked to sit/stand next to one of the 20 drop boxes. Florida Law requires each drop box must have an attendant at all times. The drop boxes will be outside of the 20 Early Voting locations and only be available during voting hours (9 a.m. to 7 p.m.).
Does the county hire/recruit Poll Watchers? No. Poll Watchers are the responsibility of political parties, candidates and special groups. Poll Watchers are registered by one of these organizations with the county, but the county does not recruit or hire Poll Watchers. If you want to be a Poll Watcher, look on this substack front page for up to date information.
If you have other questions or comments, please add them at the bottom of this piece - thanks!