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Poll worker requirements in West Virginia

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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 West Virginia. Click here to learn about poll worker laws and requirements in all 50 states.

West Virginia poll worker laws and requirements

The following requirements are current as of October 2024.

Does West Virginia require poll workers to be registered to vote?

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

Can individuals under 18 serve as poll workers?

Yes. West Virginia law allows 16 or 17-year-olds to serve as election official trainees.[2][3]

Are poll workers bound by a residency requirement in West Virginia?

Yes. West Virginia law requires poll workers to be residents of the county and municipality in which they are working.[2][3]

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

Yes. West Virginia law requires poll worker teams to be composed of two people, one nominated by each party.[2][3]

Are poll workers required to work a full shift?

No. West Virginia law allows poll workers to work part-time or split shifts.[2][3]

Does the law require poll workers to undergo training?

Yes. West Virginia law requires that the "Secretary of State in conjunction with the state Election Commission shall produce one or more audio-visual programs which explain and illustrate the procedures for conducting elections, the duties of the various election officials and the methods of voting on each voting system in use in the state."[2][3]

Are poll workers paid in West Virginia?

Yes. Under West Virginia law, poll worker compensation is determined by the county commission.[2][3]

Can poll workers serve as unpaid volunteers in West Virginia?

West Virginia 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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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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California
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Colorado
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Connecticut
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Delaware
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Florida
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Georgia
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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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(varies; must be greater than or equal to the state minimum wage)
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Illinois
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Indiana
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Iowa
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(varies; must greater than or equal to the state minimum wage)		 Too close to calltc
Kansas
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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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(varies; at least $60 per day)		 Too close to calltc
Louisiana
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(varies; between $35 and $350 per day)		 Too close to calltc
Maine
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Maryland
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Massachusetts
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Michigan
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Minnesota
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(varies; at least state minimum wage)
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Mississippi
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(varies; between $125 and $200)		 Too close to calltc
Missouri
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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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New Hampshire
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New Jersey
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New Mexico
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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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North Dakota
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Ohio
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Oklahoma
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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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South Carolina
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South Dakota
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Tennessee
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Texas
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Utah
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Vermont
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Virginia
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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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Wisconsin
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West Virginia
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Wyoming
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(varies; at least the state minimum wage)		 Too close to calltc


Poll worker legislation in West Virginia

Below you will find legislation related to poll workers introduced in the West Virginia 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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