Precinct Election Official Orientation Application

Welcome to Precinct Election Official Orientation


First let me thank you for your interest in becoming a Precinct Election Official (PEO). The purpose of this orientation is to provide you with the basic terminology and functions surrounding Precinct Election Official duties. This information will help you make the decision as to whether or not being a Precinct Election Official is right for you. 

 

The ultimate goal of every election is to ensure that we remain a “government of the people, by the people, for the people".

 

Your participation is essential to ensure each voter experiences a positive, impartial, and open environment, instilling confidence in the election process, and in the privacy and security of their vote. 

Election days can sometimes be demanding, but at the end of the day you can be proud of a job well done.  You will know that your service has helped to advance the cause of democracy, a right that many sometimes take for granted.


Respectfully,

Mark A. Andersen

Supervisor of Elections


* We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, sex, or national origin.

What to Expect as a Precinct Election Official

A Precinct Election Official must be courteous and polite, attend a minimum of 1 to 4 hours of training prior to each election. Be prepared to work a long day on election days, and be at their assigned polling place by 6:15 a.m.

 

PEO Pay:

 

  • All Precinct Election Officials receive $10 per hour for training
  • New Clerk and Assistant Clerk Master Election Certification (MEC) Training pay - $50.00
  • Leadership $95-$115 per shift
  • Inspectors/Deputies $80-84 per shift
  • *These wages are subject to change based on annual approved budget and voting hours per election.

PEO Terminology:

  • Accessible Voting System (AVS): Election equipment that allows the voter to mark the ballot by “touching a screen” or by an audio ballot which is read to the voter.
  • Ballot Counting System (BCS): Election equipment that counts/tabulates paper ballots.
  • Blue Security Cart: Securely stores ballots and election supplies.
  • Precinct: A voting location that is outlined by boundaries. Voters are assigned to precinct polling places according to where they live.
  • Voter Check In System (VCS): Election equipment that contains access to voter registration information. The voter must be sign in under his or her name before voting.
  • Voter Check In Table: Location where inspectors will verify the voter’s information. The voter signs in using the Voter Check In System and this will initiate the issuing of a Voting Pass and paper ballot.
  • Voting Certificate: A paper printed slip that indicates the voter has signed in and is eligible to receive a paper ballot.

Early Voting Sites vs. Precincts:

  • Early voting sites are open up to 15 days prior to an election and can process voters from any precinct.
  • Precincts are open only on Election Day and can process just voters assigned to that Precinct.
     

    Voting Process:

  • The Election Day polls open at 7 a.m.
  • The Deputy will greet the voter and direct the voter to proceed to the Voter Check-In Table.
  • The Voter will present an approved form of identification (I.D.) to the Inspector and sign in on the Voter Check-In System.
  • Voters who cannot present an approved form of I.D. will be provided an opportunity to vote by provisional process.
  • Once the voter's information is verified at the Voter Check-In System, a Voter Certificate and a paper ballot will automatically print.
  • A Voter who chooses to mark the ballot manually will go into a privacy booth and mark the ballot with a pen provided then place it into the Ballot Counting System (BCS).
  • A Voter who chooses to mark the ballot by machine will use the Accessible Voting System to mark the ballot then place it into the Ballot Counting System (BCS).
  • The Election Day polling place closes at 7 p.m. or after the last Voter has cast their ballot.
Are you a retiree from any Florida State administration retirement system?
Are you a retiree from any Florida State administration retirement system?
 Required

If your spouse is also a Precinct Election Official, do you have to work at the same precinct?
If your spouse is also a Precinct Election Official, do you have to work at the same precinct?
 Required

Will you work outside of your home precinct, if needed?
Will you work outside of your home precinct, if needed?
 Required

Will you serve as an alternate Precinct Election Official (attend training class and be on standby for a work assignment)?
Will you serve as an alternate Precinct Election Official (attend training class and be on standby for a work assignment)?
 Required

Do you speak Spanish?
Do you speak Spanish?
 Required

Do you have leadership ability and can you see yourself in a leadership position?
Do you have leadership ability and can you see yourself in a leadership position?
 Required

Are you interested in working temporary in office positions other than Election Day?
Are you interested in working temporary in office positions other than Election Day?
 Required

Required

Required

Not Required

Not Required

Which phone number can receive voicemail?
Which phone number can receive voicemail?
 Required

Not Required

Not Required

Required

Election Certification Positions:

The Clerk and two Assistant Clerks must be certified on the Accessible Voting System (AVS), The Ballot Counting System (BCS), Voter Check-In System (VCS), and all precinct leadership requirements. Certification is upon successful completion of a 6 hour Master Election Certification (MEC) class.
Not Required

Titles and Duties:

Supervisor of Elections:

Mark Andersen, Supervisor of Elections, is the top election authority in Bay County for all Election Boards. He is assisted by his staff in conducting efficient and accurate elections.
Not Required

Election Board:

The Election Board consists of the Clerks and Inspectors at the precinct.
Not Required

Clerk:

The Clerk is in charge of the precinct and will attend Sensitivity/Conflict Resolution Training (1 hour) and a Master Election Certification Training (4 hours for new Clerks) or (3 hours for returning Clerks). The Clerk will instruct Assistant Clerks on setup of Ballot Counting System and Accessible Voting System. Makes sure the precinct is closed properly and returns election materials to the office on election night.
Not Required

Assistant Clerk:

The Assistant Clerk will help the Clerk with duties and will attend Sensitivity/Conflict Resolution Training (1 hour) and a Master Election Certification Training (4 hours for new Assistant Clerks) or (3 hours for returning Assistant Clerks). The Assistant Clerk will following instructions from the Clerk, performs duties of the Clerk or Inspector in case of absence. The Assistant Clerks are responsible for setup of Ballot Counting System and Accessible Voting System.
Not Required

Deputy:

The Deputy maintains good order at the polling place and will attend Sensitivity/Conflict Resolution Training (1 hour) and the Deputy Training (2 hours). The Deputy is deputized by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office and follows instructions from the Clerk. The Deputy will set up the Notice Board displaying Sample Ballots, Election Information and will correctly place Precinct Signs and Cones. The Deputy greets and assists the voters into the polling place.
Not Required

Inspector:

The Inspector will attend Sensitivity/Conflict Resolution Training (1 hour) and the Inspector Training (2 hours). The Inspector follows instructions from the Clerk, checks in voters, verifies voter information on voter check in system, and verifies I.D. and signature. The Inspector is responsible for issuing the ballot to the voter.
Not Required

Multiple Choice: Please mark the ONE valid answer.
Not Required

1. Who is in charge at the precinct?
1. Who is in charge at the precinct?


 Required

2. Who is responsible for maintaining good order at the polling place?
2. Who is responsible for maintaining good order at the polling place?


 Required

3. Who is responsible for the Touch Screen duties at the polling place?
3. Who is responsible for the Touch Screen duties at the polling place?


 Required

4. Who is responsible for verifying the voter’s I.D. and signature?
4. Who is responsible for verifying the voter’s I.D. and signature?

 Required

5. Who is responsible for issuing them a paper ballot?
5. Who is responsible for issuing them a paper ballot?


 Required

6. When does the polling place open?
6. When does the polling place open?


 Required

7. When does the polling place close?
7. When does the polling place close?


 Required

8. When do PEO’s have to show up at their assigned precinct?
8. When do PEO’s have to show up at their assigned precinct?


 Required

9. When do PEO’s begin breaking down the polling place?
9. When do PEO’s begin breaking down the polling place?


 Required

10. Who is the top election authority in Bay County for all Election Boards?
10. Who is the top election authority in Bay County for all Election Boards?


 Required

True and False:
Not Required

11. PEO’s can leave the precinct during the day for lunch and come back.
11. PEO’s can leave the precinct during the day for lunch and come back.
 Required

12. PEO’s must have excellent customer service skills.
12. PEO’s must have excellent customer service skills.
 Required

13. PEO’s don’t get paid, they work as volunteers.
13. PEO’s don’t get paid, they work as volunteers.
 Required

14. PEO’s must attend training prior to every election.
14. PEO’s must attend training prior to every election.
 Required

15. The Accessible Voting System can only be used by people with disabilities.
15. The Accessible Voting System can only be used by people with disabilities.
 Required

16. PEOs must complete Sensitivity and Conflict Resolution Training each election cycle
16. PEOs must complete Sensitivity and Conflict Resolution Training each election cycle
 Required

PRECINCT ELECTION OFFICIAL STANDARD OATH (Read and Check the box as you go.)
Not Required

I understand the following apply to all Precinct Election Officials:
I understand the following apply to all Precinct Election Officials:







 Required

Required

Required

Not Required

Send  Reset

Mark Andersen,
Supervisor of Elections
Bay County
830 W. 11th St.
Panama City, FL


Phone:

850.784.6100

Fax:

850.784.6141

Email:

webrequest@bayvotesfl.gov

Hours:

M-F; 8am-5pm