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Working at an election

How to apply to work at elections, eligibility and rates of pay.

There are many ways that you can work to support the delivery of elections in Wiltshire. Depending on the type of election taking place there are a number of roles available.

Wiltshire Council usually recruit to roles for a planned election in the 5 months leading up to polling day. This may be different if an election is called at short notice. Full training is provided for election roles.

You can see the upcoming by-elections and national elections on our upcoming elections page (opens new window).

Please read all of the information before deciding to apply to work at elections.

Eligibility to work at elections

  • you must be at least 18 years old at the time of employment
  • you will be asked when you apply to provide your National Insurance number and information confirming you have the right to work in the UK (usually a passport)
  • if you work at an election you are not allowed to volunteer or work on behalf of a candidate or political party, nor be related to a candidate standing at that election
  • if applying for a Presiding Officer role you must have a valid UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle for the duration of polling day

Roles available at elections

When you complete your application form please tick all of the jobs that you are interested in being offered at future elections. Not all jobs take place on the same day so you are able to register interest for multiple jobs.

Rates of pay

The rate of pay for election staff depends on the job role(s) you undertake. Election rates of pay are set by the government and are subject to change

For example the fees (before tax or statutory deductions) are:

  • Presiding Officer - £289 plus a training payment 
  • Poll Clerk - £208 plus a training payment
  • Count role - the average count role payment is around £80, these roles are paid by the hour, so payments will differ. Count roles start at £12 an hour. 

Election payments are usually made on the 25th day of the month.

Before you apply

You will need to upload a copy of a document showing your right to work in the UK. Check which documents can be used on the GOV.UK: Guidance - Right to work checklist (opens new window).

Apply to work at elections 

Complete the application form and email a copy along with your right to work document to electionstaff@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window)

Election Staff Application Form (Word doc) [54KB] (opens new window)

Election Staff Application Form (accessible) (OpenDocument text format) [22KB] (opens new window)  

After you have submitted your application

You will be added to the Electoral Services staffing database. You will receive confirmation that we have received your application and that it was valid and you will be asked to set up an online account with us. Closer to an election date you will be contacted by email to ask if you are available to work. If you are, you will be sent an offer of employment.

Queries relating to working at elections should be sent to electionstaff@wiltshire.gov.uk (opens new window).

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