Election roles and vacancies
We often recruit additional temporary staff to help us run an election.
We hold a database of staff who we contact before an election and we are always looking for enthusiastic staff to help to fill our vacancies at the time of an election at polling stations and at the counting of the votes.
In 2025, the County Council elections will be held on Thursday 1st May 2025.
Election roles
There are a variety of roles available during an election:
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Polling Staff Presiding Officer or Poll Clark |
Polling staff are responsible for conducting the ballot in each polling station, checking Voters' ID and issuing ballot papers. On election day, polling staff work at their allocated polling station from 6.30am until after 10.00pm. They cannot leave the polling station during these hours and will need to provide their own refreshments. If you are a good communicator, methodical and quick to learn, apply to work in one of the many polling stations across South Kesteven. Presiding Officers are experienced polling station staff with a comprehensive knowledge of the voting process. They are responsible for the management of the polling station including supervision of their poll clerk(s), checking voters' ID and issuing ballot papers. They ensure that people with additional needs can cast their vote, liaise with party tellers and agents and polling station inspectors and maintain the secrecy of the ballot. Presiding Officers are responsible for collecting their ballot box and equipment on the day before the poll and for the delivery of the ballot box to either the count centre or drop off location after the close of poll. The day rate for a Presiding Officer is £289. Poll Clerks work under the direction of the Presiding Officer with all aspects of the poll at the polling station. They assist with setting up of the polling station, checking voters' ID, marking of the electoral register and issuing ballot papers to voters. The day rate for a Poll Clerk is £192. Presiding Officers and Poll Clerks are required to complete training in advance of election day. |
| Counting and Verification Staff |
Counting and Verification staff count and check the votes either during the evening following the election and can go through to the early hours of the morning or during the day after. The Counts usually take place at the Grantham Meres Leisure Centre, Trent Road, Grantham. Payment for a counting assistant at a night time count is £17.55 per hour. Payment for a counting assistant at a day time count is £11.70 per hour. |
Eligibility
To be able to undertake a role at elections, you must be:
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at least 18 years of age
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have a national insurance number
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have the right to work in the UK (in accordance with the provisions of the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996). Before starting any role, you must show us:
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your valid passport; or
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your birth certificate and proof of National Insurance Number (eg P60, P45, payslip etc)
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be able to correspond via email, as all job information/appointments will be shared via email
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You do not need to work for the Council already to work for elections.
Political restrictions
Election staff must not:
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work on behalf of a candidate during an election campaign
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sign any nomination paper for a candidate standing at an election.
In addition, we will ask you to confirm if you are affiliated with a political party or candidate or have any other conflicts of interest that could challenge the integrity of the election, for example if you are related to any candidate, agent or existing elected members.
Being accepted onto the Returning Officer's database does not guarantee that you will be offered a position, but you may be contacted about specific roles as and when they arise.
Please note:
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Casual election roles are employed directly by the Returning Officer and NOT South Kesteven District Council. Therefore the Council's employee terms and conditions do not apply.
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Election roles are paid on a Pay As You Earn (PAYE) basis, which means that tax may be deducted from your earnings. If you are not a tax payer you will be responsible for claiming the tax back from HMRC.
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Any work that you do may affect any state pension or benefit that you receive. You will be responsible for telling your pension or benefit provider about your earnings.
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Any work that you do may affect how much tax that you are required to pay. You will be responsible for telling HMRC about your earnings.
How to apply
To express an interest in any of these roles, please complete the Application of Interest Form and email it to electionstaff@southkesteven.gov.uk.
Job descriptions and pay rates are indicative only and subject to change.
If you have any questions about anything on this page, please contact the Elections Team using the contact details at the bottom of this page.