In The News
Here is a great article from the Crestview News Bulletin about our Poll Workers participation on National Voter Registration Day!
Check out this great article in The Destin Log about our Patriot Poll Workers!
Want to Become a Poll Worker?
Who Are Our Poll Workers?
Our poll workers are over 500 civic-minded members of your community - your friends, your neighbors, former school teachers, retirees, and veterans - all of whom are proud to serve our community, county, and country as poll workers. We count on each of our poll workers to make our voters glad they exercised their right and privilege to vote.
How Do I Qualify to be a Poll Worker?
To be a poll worker, you must:
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Be registered to vote in Okaloosa County
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Be able to read, write, and speak the English language and direct voters through the voting process
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Be able to work at the precinct from 6:00 a.m. until after the polls close at 7:00 p.m. (a minimum of 13 hours)
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Be able to move and assemble several 20-pound voting booths
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Be able to lift 30 pounds
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Be able to deal with the voting public in a courteous, patient and efficient manner
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Attend a training class prior to every election
Do I Get Trained to be a Poll Worker?
Yes. The law requires training prior to each election before a poll worker is eligible to work the election. First time workers, or those who have not worked since 2013, must attend a five-hour session. Once experienced and working every general election year, classes are a minimum of three hours.
What Are My Responsibilities as a Poll Worker?
All poll workers must:
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Attend required training sessions.
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Arrive at assigned precinct by 6:00 a.m. on Election Day.
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Assist with setting up the polling place by 7:00 a.m. opening of the polls.
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Provide assistance to voters if needed.
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Assist with breaking down the polling place following closing of the polls.
Which Precinct Do I Work At on Election Day?
If you are selected to work, you will be assigned to a precinct by the Supervisor of Elections after all training sessions have concluded. You will be notified via a phone call from the Clerk in charge of the precinct you have been assigned to. Alternatively, you may be selected to be one of our valued reserve workers - one who replaces another worker who had to cancel working. We depend on our reserve workers to ensure we have enough people to man the polling place on election day.
Do I Get Paid as a Poll Worker?
Yes. Poll workers get paid both for working on Election Day and for attending required training (if the poll worker works on Election Day).
If I am a Poll Worker, How Can I Vote?
All poll workers must either vote early or by vote-by-mail ballot before Election Day.
Join the Patriot Team!
If you've decided you would like to be an Okaloosa County Patriot Poll Worker, please click here to download the clickable application in PDF format. Complete the application form on your computer, print it and mail it to us at:
Paul Lux, Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections
302 Wilson Street North, Suite 102
Crestview, FL 32536
Once we have received your application form, we will add your name to our database of prospective Poll Workers. We will then call you and ask that you attend a Patriot Poll Worker orientation class.
Poll Worker Testimonials
Patriot Voices:
I’ve been a poll worker since 1992. I count it a privilege to get to be a poll worker, and to see and meet new people as they move into our community. I get to see lots of old friends, make new friends, and have lots of fun. You won’t believe it, but with all the advantages of being a poll worker, we get paid, too! Join us, we need good people. – Vivian Harrelson, Precinct 11, Lifepoint Church, Crestview
In Okaloosa County, we do it right the first time. – Ray Ayotte, Precinct 24, Fort Walton Beach Shrine Club, Fort Walton Beach
I “volunteered" to be a poll worker out of a sense of civic duty and found out it was actually a paid position. Over the years I have worked with many wonderful people who have the utmost respect for the election process and have worked hard to preserve the integrity of OkaloosaCounty 's results. I have had the opportunity to help many voters which has given me a great deal of personal satisfaction. – Susan Matuska, Precinct 43, First Baptist Church of Niceville
Retired Patriot Voices:
It’s one of the most important things in my life. This is our duty that our founding fathers gave us to protect. Being a poll worker is a gift that we can give back to our community, our country, our neighbors and our history. Everyone is so conscientious in doing a job that is beyond reproach that Okaloosa County has no problem with its elections. The fun part is greeting neighbors, making them comfortable, and getting them through as efficiently as possible. – Yvonne Ingram, Precinct 44, Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Destin
I just love being a poll worker! I’ve done it for 50 years. I like people and I feel like it’s something I can do for my community and my country. It’s good fellowship and I get to meet all my neighbors and help people. – Velmaree Joiner, Precinct 1, Baker Area Recreation Association Building, Baker