Note: This document is intended answer frequently asked questions about election clerks. Travis County Republican Party is abbreviated "TCRP" and Travis County Elections Division is abbreviated "TCED".
How are Election Clerks selected?
The Election Judge recruits clerks to work at his/her polling place. TCED will tell the judge the number of clerks that should be hired when they issue the Writ of Election. One clerk must be bilingual (English and Spanish). Most polling places have at least two clerks. The clerks fill out employment paperwork at the polling place on Election Day.
What are the qualifications for being a clerk?
The clerks must be registered to vote in Travis County. High school students 16 years and older who are U. S. citizens may serve as clerks by completing required forms available on the Secretary of State website. -- http://www.sos.state.tx.us/ elections/pamphlets/seci.shtml. One clerk must be bilingual (English and Spanish).
What training is required/available for clerks?
Training for clerks is available online from Travis County. The training is recommended but not required. The training takes approximately 3-4 hours.
What hours are required for a clerk?
The polls are open 7 AM until 7 PM. Poll workers are usually required to be at the polls at least 30 minutes before and after. Clerks must work until the last voter votes and assist the judge with closing the polls. Clerks may work a half-day shift if the judge approves.
Are clerks paid? If so, how much?
Election workers are paid by Travis County. Each worker will fill out a form at the beginning of the election day with employment information, and the judge turns those in to Travis County after the polls close as part of the election materials. Travis County will mail paychecks to election workers after the election. The wage is set by the Secretary of State, and for the 2012 primary it is set as a maximum of $8 per hour. Training time is not paid.
Can I tell TCRP that I want to be a clerk?
TCRP keeps a list of available clerks and will assist election judges with recruiting clerks. It is the judge’s responsibility to recruit clerks to work at their polling location on election day.
Can I tell Travis County that I want to be a clerk?
TCED keeps a list of available clerks and will assist election judges with recruiting clerks. It is the judge’s responsibility to recruit clerks to work at their polling location on election day.