A precinct election officer is a very important person who works the polls all day on election day to ensure that voting is conducted fairly and orderly in each precinct.

Each precinct is required to have 4 precinct election officers serve on the day of the election.

Each election officer is paid a minimum of $10 for attending a mandatory training session before election day, and a minimum of $60 per election day, as well as additional payment for mileage. Please contact your County Clerk for the exact rate of pay for your county.

If you are interested in becoming a precinct election officer, please review the qualifications below, contact your county clerk directly.  Kentucky County Clerks

Qualifications 

1. You must be a qualified, registered voter.  If you will be 18 years old on or before the General election, you can serve as a precinct election officer.
2. You cannot serve if you are a candidate during the election year.
3. You cannot serve if are the spouse, parent, brother, sister, or child of a candidate who is to be voted for in that precinct. You may serve in other precincts in which your spouse or relative is not on the ballot.
4. You cannot change your party affiliation for one (1) year prior to your appointment as a precinct election officer. However, if you are not registered to vote, you may register to vote prior to volunteering to serve as a precinct election officer.

Duties

You must be a responsible person who wants to serve the community in a very important role.  Below is a list of duties one must perform while serving as a precinct election officer:

1. Attend the required training sessions before the election;
2. Your election day will begin at 5:30 a.m. (or earlier as required by your county board of elections) when you report to your polling place;
3. Arrange your polling place with all the necessary election materials and voting equipment in a way to ensure privacy for each voter and security in the voting process;
4. The precinct must open by 6:00 a.m.;
5. Process voters and provide any assistance;
6. Administer all election laws;
7. Treat every voter with respect and courtesy;
8. Close the polling place after the last voter in line at 6:00 p.m. has voted;
9. Complete all necessary paper work; and
10. Return all election materials to the County Clerk’s office that evening.

The State Board of Elections 2024 Primary Election Officers Guide Final Version.pdf (ky.gov) contains a detailed explanation of a Precinct Election Officer’s duties on election day.

Poll Watchers

No more than two people appointed by each party per precinct to be submitted to the county clerk in advance of the election; must be a registered voter in the county.