ODP's OH PROMOTE THE VOTE looking for a few good people: OHIO State Poll Worker Requirements

Be part of a new generation of pollworkers and help guarantee that our votes count:


State Registration Requirement
(Exceptions may be found in Student Election Assistant category)

Must be a qualified elector of the county.
Ohio Rev. Code § 3501.22(A) (Thomson/West 2006).

If the board of elections determines that not enough qualified electors in a precinct are available to serve as precinct officers, it may appoint persons to serve as precinct officers at a primary, special, or general election who are at least seventeen years of age and are registered to vote.
Ohio Rev. Code § 3501.22(B) (Thomson/West 2006).

Age Requirement
18 years of age.
Ohio Rev. Code § 3503.01 (Thomson/West 2006).

But for primary elections, may vote if 18 years of age or over by the next general election.
Ohio Rev. Code § 3503.011 (Thomson/West 2006).

If the board of elections determines that not enough qualified electors in a precinct are available to serve as precinct officers, it may appoint persons to serve as precinct officers at a primary, special, or general election who are at least 17 years of age and are registered to vote.
Ohio Rev. Code § 3501.22(B) (Thomson/West 2006).

Residency Place and Term Required for Voter Registration
Resident of and registered to vote in State for 30 consecutive days preceding election and resident of county and precinct at time of voting.
Ohio Rev. Code § 3503.01 (Thomson/West 2006).

Residency Requirement for Service (State, County or Precinct)
County.
Ohio Rev. Code § 3501.22(A) (Thomson/West 2006).

Affiliation with Political Party Requirement and Process for Nomination as Poll Worker
Not more than half of judges or election officers in a precinct may be from same political party, and presiding judge will be chosen from the dominant political party. “Additional officials” must be divided equally between the two major political parties.
Ohio Rev. Code § 3501.22(A) (Thomson/West 2006).

Precinct officials in a primary election must be equally divided between two major political parties.
Ohio Rev. Code § 3501.23 (Thomson/West 2006).

On September 15th of each year, county boards appoint, by majority vote, four county residents to each election precinct. These are the judges, and they constitute the precinct election officers.
Ohio Rev. Code § 3501.22(A) (Thomson/West 2006).

Term Requirements
One year terms starting on September 15th.
Ohio Rev. Code § 3501.22(A) (Thomson/West 2006).

Compensation and Hour Requirements
Compensation is for full election day, from one-half hour before opening of polls until all procedures are complete.
Ohio Rev. Code § 3501.28(A) (2) & (F); Ohio Rev. Code § 3501.31 (Thomson/West 2006). .
Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. unless there are voters in line, in which case the polls shall be kept open until such waiting voters have voted.
Ohio Rev. Code § 3501.32 (Thomson/West 2006).

The board of elections shall mail to each precinct election official notice of the date, hours, and place of holding each election in the official’s respective precinct at which it desires the official to serve. Each of such officials shall notify the board immediately upon receipt of such notice of any inability to serve.
Ohio Rev. Code § 3501.31 (Thomson/West 2006).

Election judges shall receive no less than minimum wage, but no more than $95 per day (variable with increase in minimum wage.) is required by the State. County board may increase the amount pursuant to a variety of statutory limits, including timely notice to the county commissioners.
Ohio Rev. Code § 3501.28 (E) (1) (c) & (2) (Thomson/West 2006).

Training, Certification and Oath Requirements
All election judges shall complete a program of instruction. County board must provide training, within 60 days of election, using both materials produced by the Secretary of State and its own supplements. County board must re-instruct election officials at least once every three years, and re-instruct presiding judges before primaries in even numbered years. If a trained judge is unavailable, then an untrained judge may be employed.
Ohio Rev. Code § 3501.27(A), (B) & (C) (Thomson/West 2006).

Oath required.
Ohio Rev. Code § 3501.31 (Thomson/West 2006).

Elected Public Officials Prohibited
Does not apply.
Candidates Prohibited
Candidate cannot serve in same precinct where running, except for unopposed candidate for county central committee.
Ohio Rev. Code § 3501.15; § 3501.27(A) (Thomson/West 2006).


The Effect of Felon Status on Participation
Prohibited if have been convicted of a felony, or any violation of the election laws.
Ohio Rev. Code § 3501.27(A); 1932 OAG 4650 (Thomson/West 2006).

The Effect of Mental Incapacitation on Participation
No idiot, or insane person, shall be entitled to the privileges of an elector, thus ineligible to serve as poll worker.
Ohio Const. Art. 5, § 6 (Thomson/West 2006).

Prohibited if adjudicated incompetent for the purpose of voting.
Ohio Rev. Code § 3503.18; Ohio Rev. Code § 5122.301 (Thomson/West 2006).

English Fluency and Literacy Requirement
Must be able to read and write the English language readily.
Ohio Rev. Code § 3501.27(A) (Thomson/West 2006).

Good Reputation Requirement
No information available.
Alternative Positions with Different Requirements
Board may designate some election officers to perform duties at any precinct. Board may appoint additional officials, divided equally between the two major political parties, to expedite voting. Appointment appears to be limited to term of election requiring the additional workers. Training requirements are the same as for judges.
Ohio Rev. Code § 3501.22(A) (Thomson/West 2006).

Interpreter need determined by county board. Appointments follow same training and compensation rules as applied to appointment of precinct election officials. Because interpreters are fully trained, they can also function as precinct election officers.
Ohio Rev. Code § 3501.221(A) (Thomson/West 2006).

Student Election Assistant Statute
Board of elections may establish high school precinct officer program. Rules must include:
• County residency;
• At least 17 years old and enrolled in the senior year of high school;
• Must declare party affiliation with the board of elections;
• Cannot serve as presiding judge;
• School absence shall be excused; and
• No more than one student under 18 years of age may serve in a precinct.
Ohio Rev. Code § 3501.22(C) - (D) (Thomson/West 2006).

SOURCE: US ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION, August 2007