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Poll worker requirements in Massachusetts

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A poll worker is an individual temporarily hired by a local government to help facilitate voting on an election day. According to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, "Most jurisdictions task election workers with setting up and preparing the polling location, welcoming voters, verifying voter registrations, and issuing ballots. Poll workers also help ensure voters understand the voting process by demonstrating how to use voting equipment and explaining voting procedures."[1]

States have different laws and requirements for poll workers. This page contains information on laws and requirements for poll workers in Massachusetts. Click here to learn about poll worker laws and requirements in all 50 states.

Massachusetts poll worker laws and requirements

The following requirements are current as of October 2024.

Does Massachusetts require poll workers to be registered to vote?

Yes. Massachusetts law requires poll workers to be registered voters.[2][3]

Can individuals under 18 serve as poll workers?

Yes. Massachusetts law allows individuals who are at least 16 years old to serve as poll workers.[2][3]

Are poll workers bound by a residency requirement in Massachusetts?

Yes. Massachusetts law requires poll workers to be residents of the city or town in which they are working.[2][3]

Does Massachusetts law have a political party distribution requirement for poll workers?

Yes. Massachusetts law requires that "election officers shall be enrolled voters so appointed as equally to represent the 2 leading political parties, except that, without disturbing the equal representation of such parties, not more than 1/3 of the election officers not representing either of them may be appointed."[2][3]

Are poll workers required to work a full shift?

Massachusetts law prohibits 16- and 17-year-olds from working more hours than allowed under state law.[2][3]

Does the law require poll workers to undergo training?

Massachusetts law does not specify any training requirements for poll workers.[2][3]

Are poll workers paid in Massachusetts?

Yes. Under Massachusetts law, poll worker compensation is determined by the city council or the selectmen.[2][3]

Can poll workers serve as unpaid volunteers in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts law does not specify whether poll workers can serve as unpaid volunteers.[2][3]

Poll worker laws and requirements by state

As of October 2024:

  • 45 states require poll workers to be registered to vote.
  • 45 states allow individuals under 18 to serve as poll workers.
  • 46 states have a residency requirement for poll workers.
  • 41 states have a political party distribution requirement for poll workers.
  • 6 states require poll workers to work a full shift.
  • 44 states require poll workers to undergo training.
  • 46 states pay poll workers.
  • 9 states allow poll workers to serve as unpaid volunteers.[2][3]

The map below shows poll worker requirements across the country. Click the blue links to switch between individual requirements.

The following table shows poll worker laws and requirements in all 50 states. Click on a state to learn more.

Poll worker laws and requirements by state
State Are poll workers required to be registered to vote? Can poll workers be under 18? Are there residency requirements for poll workers? Are there political party requirements? Are poll workers required to work a full shift? Are poll workers required to undergo training? Are poll workers paid? Can poll workers serve as unpaid volunteers?
Alabama
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(varies; at least $50)
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Alaska
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(varies; up to $20.50 per hour)
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Arizona
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(varies; at least $30 per day)
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Arkansas
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 Too close to calltc
10px-600px-Red x.png
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(federal minimum wage)
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California
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10px-600px-Red x.png
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(varies)		 Too close to calltc
Colorado
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(varies; at least $5)		 Too close to calltc
Connecticut
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(varies)
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Delaware
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(varies)		 Too close to calltc
Florida
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(varies)		 Too close to calltc
Georgia
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 Too close to calltc
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Hawaii[4] Too close to calltc Too close to calltc Too close to calltc Too close to calltc Too close to calltc Too close to calltc Too close to calltc Too close to calltc
Idaho
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 Too close to calltc
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(varies; must be greater than or equal to the state minimum wage)
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Illinois
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 Too close to calltc
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($35-$60 per day)		 Too close to calltc
Indiana
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10px-600px-Red x.png
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(varies)		 Too close to calltc
Iowa
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 Too close to calltc
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(varies; must greater than or equal to the state minimum wage)		 Too close to calltc
Kansas
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 Too close to calltc
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(varies; at least $3 per hour or $40 per day depending on whether voting machines are used)
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Kentucky
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 Too close to calltc
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(varies; at least $60 per day)		 Too close to calltc
Louisiana
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 Too close to calltc Too close to calltc
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(varies; between $35 and $350 per day)		 Too close to calltc
Maine
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 Too close to calltc
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(varies)
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Maryland
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(varies)
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Massachusetts
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(varies)		 Too close to calltc
Michigan
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(varies)		 Too close to calltc
Minnesota
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10px-600px-Red x.png
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(varies; at least state minimum wage)
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Mississippi
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 Too close to calltc
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(varies; between $125 and $200)		 Too close to calltc
Missouri
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(varies)		 Too close to calltc
Montana
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(varies; at least the state or federal minimum wage, whichever is greater)		 Too close to calltc
Nebraska
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(varies; at least the state minimum wage)
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Nevada
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 Too close to calltc
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(varies)		 Too close to calltc
New Hampshire
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New Jersey
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(varies; at least $300 per election		 Too close to calltc
New Mexico
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 Too close to calltc
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(varies; at least federal minimum wage but no more than $400 per day)		 Too close to calltc
New York
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(varies; at least $100)		 Too close to calltc
North Carolina
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(varies; at least state minimum wage)		 Too close to calltc
North Dakota
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(varies; at least state minimum wage)		 Too close to calltc
Ohio
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(varies; at least federal minimum wage)		 Too close to calltc
Oklahoma
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 Too close to calltc
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($115-$125 depending on role)		 Too close to calltc
Oregon[5] Too close to calltc Too close to calltc Too close to calltc Too close to calltc Too close to calltc Too close to calltc Too close to calltc Too close to calltc
Pennsylvania
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(varies; between $75 and $200 per day)		 Too close to calltc
Rhode Island
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(varies; at least $60 per day)		 Too close to calltc
South Carolina
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(varies)		 Too close to calltc
South Dakota
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(varies)		 Too close to calltc
Tennessee
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(varies; at least $50 per day)		 Too close to calltc
Texas
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(varies; at least federal minimum wage)		 Too close to calltc
Utah
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(varies)		 Too close to calltc
Vermont
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(varies)		 Too close to calltc
Virginia
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10px-600px-Red x.png
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($75 per day)
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Washington[6] Too close to calltc Too close to calltc Too close to calltc Too close to calltc Too close to calltc Too close to calltc Too close to calltc Too close to calltc
Washington, D.C.
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(varies; between $100-$300)		 Too close to calltc
Wisconsin
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(varies)
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West Virginia
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(varies)		 Too close to calltc
Wyoming
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 Too close to calltc
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(varies; at least the state minimum wage)		 Too close to calltc


Poll worker legislation in Massachusetts

Below you will find legislation related to poll workers introduced in the Massachusetts State Legislature in the most recent session.

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External links

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ United States Election Assistance Commission, "Poll Worker Resources for Voters," February 1, 2024
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 National Conference of State Legislatures, "Election Poll Workers," May 28, 2024
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 U.S. Election Assistance Commission, "State-by-State Compendium Election Worker Laws & Statutes," accessed June 28, 2024
  4. ↑ Elections in Hawaii are conducted mostly by mail. The state, therefore, does not employ poll workers.
  5. ↑ Elections in Oregon are conducted mostly by mail. The state, therefore, does not employ poll workers.
  6. ↑ Elections in Washington are conducted mostly by mail. The state, therefore, does not employ poll workers.
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