Become an Election Day Pollworker
Have you ever wondered how you can become more active in city government?
There are plenty of opportunities for you that do not involve running for elected office. Detroit has 400 voting precincts and 60 absentee counting boards. During an election, each of these precincts and boards requires a staff of paid precinct inspectors to assist voters as they arrive at the polls on Election Day.
Registered voters interested in serving as precinct inspectors must submit an election inspector application, attend training session, and take a brief test after completing training session. In addition to your name, address and date of birth, applicants must include their political party preference and qualifications to fill the position such as education or experience.
A precinct inspector who is 18 years of age or older must be a registered voter of the State. They cannot be a challenger, candidate, member of a candidate's immediate family, or a member of the local Board of Canvassers. Anyone convicted of a felony or an election crime may not serve.
Citizens who are 16 and 17 may also apply and work as a precinct inspector.
Applications may be completed online or you can come into the Department of Elections office.
Election Inspector Application
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- DO I HAVE TO LIVE IN DETROIT?
You do not have to be a resident of Detroit. If you are 18 years of age or older, you must be registered to vote in Michigan. 16 or 17 year olds may also work as a poll worker.
- WHERE WILL I BE ASSIGNED TO WORK?
You will be assigned to one of our 400 polling precincts located throughout the City of Detroit. Our goal is to assign you to the closest available polling precinct to your home.
- WHAT IS MY RATE OF PAY?
You will be paid based on classification.
- HOW LONG IS THE TRAINING SESSION?
Each training session will last approximately two and a half hours.
Most classifications require two sessions.
- WHEN WILL I RECEIVE MY PAY?
All Poll workers' checks are mailed within three to seven weeks after each election.
We begin processing immediately after Election Day.
The Department of Elections is located at