So You Want to Be an Election Official

There are still plenty of vacancies for election officials, a great way to get involved in the election process and do your civic duty. Check here to see who's running so far in your ward. Then, read on to learn more about what it takes to be a Ward election official:

MODERATOR

Elected for a two year term at the biennial municipal election, every odd-numbered year.

The moderator is the chief election officer in charge of the polls at the ward level. The moderator is under the direction of the city clerk who is the city’s chief election officer. It is the responsibility of the moderator to make certain that all the election officers are available on the day of the election and that each is familiar with their respective duties for the day. All ward election officers are subordinate to the moderator and he/she shall be responsible for the correctness of the election procedure. The moderator is required to have the polling place open and ready to accept voters at the prescribed time (currently 6:00 AM). This will require the polling staff to report to the polls at least one hour before the polls open. There is a variety of documentation to be legally posted at the polling place and the moderator must assure that they are properly posted. The city clerk will provide all necessary materials and instructions.

During the election day, the moderator is charged with maintaining order at the polling place. He/she will be the authority on all decisions. The city clerk will offer assistance to the moderator by phone or in person, if necessary. The city clerk supplies election specialists to be available to aid the moderator with technical or administrative assistance throughout the day.

Other duties during the election day process may include, but are not limited to, inspecting the checklists, inspecting the voting machines, aiding voters, maintaining order, determining voter challenges, receiving and processing absentee ballots, closing the polls, processing the vote counts, determining legal ballots, reporting the voting results, securing the ballots, validating/signing documentation, and returning the materials, documentation and counted ballots to the city clerk’s office. The moderator may be asked to participate in any recount procedures that a candidate may request.

WARD CLERK

Elected for a two year term at the biennial municipal election, every odd-numbered year.

The ward clerk shall report directly to the moderator. The primary duty of the clerk shall be to administer and prepare the documentation required at the polling place. This would include not only the election return and tally sheets and associated reports, but will also include such documentation as poll workers time sheets, payroll records, W-4 forms, etc.

The ward clerk must pick up the ward supplies and documentation package at the city clerk’s office before reporting to the polling place.

The ward clerk shall also aid any voters who may need assistance in the polling area. The clerk will assist the moderator in the course of managing the polling place.

Other duties require the clerk, at the direction of the city clerk and the Secretary of State, to require the selectmen to sign and post warrants announcing the upcoming election.

WARD SELECTMEN

Elected for a two year terms at the biennial municipal election, every odd-numbered year.

There are three elected selectmen per ward. Over the years, their duties have been reduced to that of an election official only. The selectmen are responsible for choosing the polling place. They report directly to the moderator. Their primary duty is to maintain the checklist and to aid the voters in the election process. They must be signatories on warrants and most of the election reports and are, therefore, responsible for the proper counting of the election results (including tallies and absentee counting). They are responsible for the orderly flow of voters through the polling place and to ensure that the polls are open and functioning properly.

ASSISTANT ELECTION OFFICIALS

The Moderator is authorized to appoint “such other election officials as he or she deems necessary…” (RSA 658:7). Moderators have appointed assistant election officials in the past to bring staffing up to budgeted levels when an insufficient number of Democratic and/or Republican ballot inspectors is available. Party affiliation is not a consideration when appointing assistant election officials. In addition, RSA 658:7-a allows for the appointment of residents of the ward who are 17 years of age on election day.

WARD BALLOT INSPECTORS

Two of each party which cast the largest number of votes in the last previous general election (RSA 658:2). Appointments are made between September 15 and October 15 of each even-numbered year by the ward political committee. If no appointments are made by October 15, vacancies shall be filled by the ward selectmen.

If the number of registered voters in the ward exceeds 2000, an additional ballot inspector of each party may be appointed for each additional block of 1500 registered voters or fraction thereof. Inspectors shall be registered to vote at the polling place where they serve (RSA 658:3). The City of Nashua authorizes payment of a stipend to four Ballot Inspectors per ward, per election, except for the Presidential Primary Election and the November Presidential Election. On those dates, the City authorizes payment for the maximum number of Ballot Inspectors provided for under RSA 658:3.

Each inspector of election shall be sworn and hold office for two years from the year he is appointed or until a successor is appointed and qualified. Inspectors are to be equally divided by the city’s political parties; hence, the number of Democratic ballot inspectors and Republican ballot inspectors working at the polling place shall be equal at all times.

Traditionally, ballot inspectors assist with the checklist and hand out ballots to the voters. However, the moderator is responsible for assigning such duties to the ballot inspectors as he deems prudent to ensure the smooth conduct of elections.

Ward political committees or ward selectmen may designate a list of alternates, who shall meet the same qualifications as inspectors of elections, to be called in numerical order to serve in case one or more of the principal appointees fails to accept the appointment or is otherwise unable to perform his duties (RSA 658:5).

If neither the political committees nor the selectmen make the appointments, on application of six qualified voters of the ward, a justice of the municipal or district court shall appoint the inspectors (RSA 658:6).

TIME COMMITMENT

The election officials must be available for each election day. There will be a primary election and a general election each year. Every four years, there will be a Presidential Primary. Occasionally, there may be special elections called for a variety of reasons.

Prior to election day, the city clerk will conduct a training session. The clerk will instruct attendees on proper procedures, review the necessary documentation, and instruct on how to handle common problems experienced in past elections. These meetings are informative and will help in understanding how the process works. Election officials must attend to receive full compensation, per city ordinances.

On election day, all officers should report to the polling place one hour before the polls open. This will ensure adequate time to set up the polling place. The city clerk will deliver voting materials to the polls between 5:00 AM and 5:30 AM. All election officials must remain at the polling place until all election duties have been completed and the moderator has dismissed them. This time can vary but is usually between 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM.

COMPENSATION

The City provides modest compensation for these positions. The following represents the current pay rates:

Moderators and Clerks: $190

Selectmen: $165

Ballot Inspectors, Voter Registrars,

and Assistant Election Officials: $150.00

Obviously, these are not positions that an individual would seek for remuneration or power. They are instead positions that are necessary to ensure an orderly and efficient election process. Individuals who seek these elected offices do so because they have a desire to assure that the system works...and works well. This can be a rewarding experience for those who believe in our electoral process. It is a way to actively support the continuation of the democratic process at its most important level - the local election.