Are you interested in working at this year’s local elections? The Borough of Havant will be going to the polls on Thursday 4 May and we are recruiting temporary staff to join our friendly and enthusiastic team.

We are looking for people to help us on the day to either work in our polling stations across the borough or help in the evening at the election count.  You do not need any previous experience as training will be given.

Polling stations open from 7.00am until 10.00pm on the day of the poll, with the counting of votes taking place after that.

  • Poll Clerks – Thursday 4 May (6.30am to 10.30pm).  Paying £187 (plus £25 training fee)

Poll Clerks will be required from 6am until approximately 10.30pm. This role is vital for helping to make sure that proper voting procedures are followed and that voters are able to cast their vote in secret, free from influence and in a calm atmosphere. Polling station staff are not permitted to leave the premises during these hours.

During that time, you will be expected to greet members of the public in a helpful, polite and professional manner, support the Presiding Officer throughout the day.  When electors arrive, you will be required to check their photo ID, find and mark their name in the register and issue ballot papers, ensuring that electors cast their votes in secret before placing them in the ballot box. 

All staff employed to work at a polling station must complete training before taking up their appointment.

Skills and competencies:

Ability to carry out work as instructed under pressure, fully literate and numerate with excellent attention to details, Ability to be punctual and reliable, Use of diplomacy and tact when working with members of the public, remain politically neutral at all times.

Additional Information: 

You will be working up to 17 hours on the day, and you will only be permitted to leave your polling station with permission from the Presiding Officer, You cannot be employed for this position if you have/will carry out any duties on behalf of any political party or candidate (paid or unpaid),  You will be required to read and abide by the secrecy requirements of the poll.

  • Counting Assistants - Thursday 4 May (9pm to approx 2:30am Friday 5 May). Paying £17.50 ph

Count Assistants – will be required to attend the count venue in the centre of Havant at 8:30pm to undertake training prior to the count taking place. 

You will then assist in the verification and counting process (further instructions will be provided), take part in a re-count if required, whilst acting impartial at all times.  This work will be under the direction of a Count Supervisor.  The count will commence at 10pm on Thursday 4 May and is likely to continue until around 2.30am on Friday 5 May. You will be required to stay until released by your supervisor.

Every person attending the count will be required to maintain the secrecy of voting and remain neutral at all times. 

Skills and competencies include: 

Accuracy, Attention to detail, Ability to follow instructions, punctual, reliable, calm under pressure, fully numerate and will be required to read and abide by the secrecy requirements of the poll.

Additional Information:

The length of time a Count will take depends on the number of ballot papers to be counted. You must be prepared to stay as long as it takes to complete the process. The Count will take place immediately after the close of poll, therefore you will start work at 9.00pm and work into the early hours of the morning (you will be given adequate breaks).  You cannot be employed for this position if you have/will carry out any duties on behalf of any political party or candidate (paid or unpaid).

Have you got what it takes to join us?

You must be 18 or over and entitled to work in the UK (in accordance with the provisions of the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996). You must be able to work impartially at all times.  

If successful, prior to taking up your appointment, you must provide evidence of your eligibility to work in the UK by showing us either:

  • Your valid passport, or
  • Your birth certificate 

Staff employed at elections must not work on behalf of a candidate during an election campaign, nor be related to a prospective candidate.

Polling station staff and count staff must consent to working in excess of the normal working hours provided for by the Working Time Directive.

Any work carried out for the elections must observe the Secrecy Requirements, copies of which will be supplied to all staff.

How to apply

To apply please complete and return your application form to elections.office@havant.gov.uk