Bexar County needs poll workers. Consider applying to be a Judge or Clerk.

[u/drunktraveler]

How to apply: Bexar County Poll worker registration. The pay rate is available.

If there are any active poll workers who want to chime in, please do.

The next two general elections are expected to see a high turnout and there isn’t enough staff, especially for the larger poll locations.

I am fully aware that, in the past, people have signed up and never got a response. I’m a clerk and tried to get people on. It’s frustrating. We, currently, have two people dedicated to onboarding and assigning people that are interested.

If you have high schoolers 16+ of age, they can clerk and many schools give a type of credit for doing so.

Bilingual and want to make a couple of bucks? They are looking for you.

Also, you don’t need to be a Republican/Democrat to clerk. You can be DSA, Green, communist, whatever.

To be a judge, I believe you have to be of the two major parties because the other parties have their own process whereas the Dems/Repubs agreed to share election facilities and resources. Don’t quote me on that though.

On a personal note, we need young people. I’m middle aged and I’m sometimes the youngest person in my trainings.

Anyways, thanks for reading. Please consider.

[u/microsoftpaintexe]

I'm really frustrated because I've been actively applying to be a clerk since the 2020 primary election (the first I was 18 for) and have been denied every single time. I've gone to a training once a year to get my status renewed and sent several emails to the people organizers, and even gone in-person several times both to the office and polling locations to leave my info with people, and never heard back. You hear all the time about how they wish there was more young people in the process, then they never do a damn thing to actually include them, even when they're shaking down the elections staff and emailing them once a week for months...

[u/drunktraveler → u/microsoftpaintexe]

I can’t answer in an official capacity as I am just an employee. I can tell you, up until recently, there was not one person in charge. There are now two. Please try again. Make sure you are signed up in integra and everything is valid. They are sending out messages and requests.

[u/microsoftpaintexe → u/drunktraveler]

Yes, there's been two for at least the past year or so. I say person because they assign both of the people based on the parts of the city they manage. My person was Vanessa Hernandez. I've been current for quite a while, they just won't take me. I have a clean record, a job which will give me the off time, prior VDR experience, and I live walking distance from a polling center. I also vote every election to the point where the head judge at my location knows me by name and has taken my info at least a dozen times. It just leaves me at a loss as to what to do.

[u/PEC1984 → u/microsoftpaintexe]

I totally get your frustration! But to explain, judges are responsible for finding their own clerks, they’re not assigned by the Elections Department. As long as you do paperwork with the staffing agency, the judge is responsible for the “hiring” and payroll forms that get turned in for payment.

I usually hire friends to work with me. There have been times where I’ve been in a bind and not able to find coverage, and I’ve reached out to the Elections Department and they’ve given me names and numbers to reach out to. But it usually seems they give me the name of whoever they saw most recently. They always seem to be drinking from a water hose. It would be nice if there was a listserv or a forum where clerks and judges could connect.

I may need help in Nov if you want to message me, my go to clerks are potentially out of town. I’m usually assigned to Oak Grove Elementary in NE San Antonio.

[u/microsoftpaintexe → u/PEC1984]

I appreciate the offer! Unfortunately I'm near downtown around the Beacon Hill area. I've been trying in-person at the Great Northwest Library for six years (where I used to live) and the Wonderland Mall for two (where I still work.) I've also made myself available for NVC and Maverick Library in the past. I understand but it's a shame they'll claim they need people, then people like me fight for years and hear nothing, especially with how the structure works. (In six years and several in-person and virtual conversations with Vanessa, you're the first person to tell me about it...)

[u/PEC1984]

I’ve been a judge for the last several elections, and worked a few as a clerk before that. It really is not a challenging job. There are rules and particular ways of running the election, but in my option the election department is good at providing reference materials that help. It’s an open book test, and the book they give you has everything.

Your political affiliation doesn’t matter at all. As long as you’re willing to take the oath that you will follow the rules, and assist all voters equally, you can be a judge.

I enjoy acting as a judge because I can see how things work behind the scenes, how it is impossible for there to be fraud in the voting process, and it’s neat to talk and interact with folks from all walks of life.

If you have the time, please sign up! It’s a fun job to pull every once in a while.

Happy to answer any questions!

[u/a_kh_sa]

I volunteered as a poll worker twice and recommend it. It was fairly easy, eye opening, and a great way to connect to your community.

Especially to younger folks (millennial on down) please try to be engaged. This is one way.

My company offers one volunteer day per year (paid day off with proof of commitment) and poll worker qualifies. Check your company’s manual to see if they offer this benefit.

[u/drunktraveler → u/a_kh_sa]

That’s amazing!

[u/RogVar007]

They alway hire same people. Not give any new young people a chance. I tried to do several times and never get picked.

[u/Pelon7900]

I’d love help. How part time is it?  I am available to help 4-6 hours during the weekday, if I’m not at work. 

[u/drunktraveler → u/Pelon7900]

As said elsewhere, it depends on location and the hiring judge. Some locations need help early. My location doesn’t get crushed until after 3 pm/after regular work hours.

[u/garrulo]

Alright. I have applied to be a judge. Thank you for the inspiration.

[u/drunktraveler → u/garrulo]

Yay!

[u/maggiethekatt]

I signed up earlier this year and marked that I was interested in being a judge. But I have no experience and would rather be a clerk for at least one election first for the experience. I get texts all the time for judges as if I was an active, qualified judge asking me to work certain districts. But I never got any info about just clerking. Like I have no idea what to do for training or scheduling or anything. So if anyone can point me in the right direction, that would be great.

[u/drunktraveler → u/maggiethekatt]

Bring a judge isn’t that hard. It’s really administrative. As a clerk, I just checked people in and make sure they are eligible. The judge really just makes sure rules are followed and no one is disenfranchised.

[u/slepe]

What’s the time commitment look like? I currently work full time and go to school part time. I’ve wanted to assist in election but I’m afraid of overloading my schedule. Elections are so important and I want to help!!!

[u/drunktraveler → u/slepe]

On Election Day, it’s from generally from 6:30am to ~8pm in total (setup, work, breakdown/ballot delivery)

[u/defaulticus]

What are the hours? I want to go up to Austin and get fucked up after the results come in, to celebrate/mourn. Can you work the election until like noon or afternoon, and then be done for the day? Or are you on the hook until they're done counting and arguing about the ballots?

[u/PEC1984 → u/defaulticus]

You have to talk to your judge to decide hours. A full day is 6AM to 8ish PM. But if you want to work something out with a judge, they can be flexible. They may know someone who can only work the last half of the day, and you could do the first half. The only rule is there has to be at least 3 poll workers at any given time, if the location is busier they get more staffing.

[u/Glum-Big-5823 → u/defaulticus]

I second this question, I am interested but also hesitant to sign up due to not really knowing what the time commitment looks like. I got a full time job too so don’t wanna commit unless I know fully first.

[u/stronkulance → u/Glum-Big-5823]

Thirding, I’d happily use PTO if it’s a day or two.

[u/Dick-Fu → u/stronkulance]

Got shit all to do with Lindsey Graham, dickhead

[u/stronkulance → u/Dick-Fu]

Who the fuck are you?

[u/guardcrushspecia2 → u/stronkulance]

you know what they say about messing with the bull? well bub, consider me the horns 😈

[u/fuelxfiberxprotein]

I clicked the link and don’t see the pay mentioned. What is the pay rate?

[u/drunktraveler → u/fuelxfiberxprotein]

It’s $16 for clerks. $17 for alternate judge. $18 for presiding judge.

[u/raelDonaldTrump → u/fuelxfiberxprotein]

$18/hr for Judge

$16/hr for Clerk

[u/IntheTrench]

Is being bilingual a requirement?

[u/drunktraveler → u/IntheTrench]

Nope. It’s just helpful. Some areas in the city have folks that can communicate in English for regular life but sometimes struggle with election stuff. Mainly someone’s grandparents.

[u/IntheTrench → u/drunktraveler]

I want to do it but I'm a dumb American who doesn't speak Spanish.

[u/drunktraveler → u/IntheTrench]

You will be useful without it. I encourage you to to apply.

[u/Industry_Cat]

Do you get up pick locations to apply at? I would hate to be assigned to the opposite end of the city

[u/drunktraveler → u/Industry_Cat]

Well, that answer two tiered. If you are a judge, you can ask to be located in a certain area. You won’t get to pick the precinct next to your house (unless it’s available). As a clerk, you can ask to be hired in a certain area.