Overview

The poll workers that staff each precinct (and Central Absentee Precinct or “CAP”) are variably referred to as “officers of election” or “election officers.” They are responsible for Election Day operations at precincts, including poll closing procedures and tabulation. Va. Code § 24.2-115.

Makeup and Term

The General Registrar prepares and submits to the Electoral Board a plan to ensure adequate numbers of officers are trained and available to serve each election. Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-115. There must be at least three officers of election per precinct. Additionally, precincts with more than 4,000 registered voters must have at least five officers of election during a presidential election. [1] The term of their appointment is at the discretion of the Electoral Board, not to exceed three years.

They are appointed by the Electoral Board in the first week of February in any year in which the previous term is scheduled to expire, with the new terms beginning on March 1. Each election officer serves for all elections held in his or her respective precincts during their terms of office unless a substitute is required or the Electoral Board decides that fewer officers are needed for a particular election. Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-115.

Appointment and Vacancy Information

• Appointed: Officers of election are appointed by the Electoral Board. Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-115.
• Partisan Makeup: Equal partisan representation is required for both major parties if there is an even number of officers and in no case is a difference of more than one permitted. When “practicable” they must be appointed from lists submitted by the two major parties. The lists must be submitted to the Electoral Board by January 22nd and the Board will appoint officers at their first meeting in the first week of February. The Board may appoint additional officers not on these lists who do not represent either party, though, “if practicable,” this should be no more than one third of the total officers in the precinct. Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-115.
• Leadership: Each precinct has a Chief and Assistant Chief, chosen by the Electoral Board from among the officers of election. They must, “whenever practicable” not be from the same political party. Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-115.
• Vacancies: The Electoral Board may fill vacancies at any point to serve an unexpired term. Additionally, if an officer of election is “absent or unable to serve” on Election Day after polls have been open for one hour, the remaining officers for that precinct can appoint a substitute. Va. Code § 24.2-115, 118.
• Qualifications: Must be a registered Virginia voter, and registered in the precinct in which they serve whenever “practicable.” Va. Code § 24.2-115.

The specific roles at each precinct may vary based on the number of officers of election working at the precinct, but the various roles can be broken down like so:

• Greeter: These individuals welcome voters, and help to streamline the process by encouraging voters to have their ID out and ready, and pointing out posters and sample ballots that may be available. “Officer Basics.”
• Pollbook Officer: This role checks in voters using either paper or electronic pollbooks to ensure people are registered to vote. If a voter is registered, the Pollbook Officer marks them as having voted. If a voter is not on the pollbook or is marked as already having voted, the Pollbook Officer resolves voter eligibility or registration status issues by working with the Chief Officer of Election, and, potentially, the General Registrar. “Officer Basics.”
• Ballot Officer: This role controls and accounts for all ballots at a precinct. “Officer Basics.”
• Voting Equipment and Booth Officer: This role directs voters to available booths and may provide assistance to the voter upon request. Such aid includes assisting voters with interpreting and responding to system error messages. Finally, this role maintains each voter’s right to a private ballot, and observes the voters inserting their ballots into the optical scan tabulator. “Officer Basics.”
• Assistant Chief Officer of Election: This role is for an experienced election officer who assists the Chief Officer of Election in performing their duties. If the Chief Officer of Election cannot perform his or her duties for any reason, the Assistant Chief should be able to assume the role and take over the duties. “Officer Basics.”
• Chief Officer of Election: This role is also for an experienced election officer who supervises all other officers of election and oversees the polling place on Election Day. The Chief Officer of Election opens and closes the polls on Election Day, and ensures all supplies, forms, and ballots are verified and accounted for. The Chief Officer is the first point of contact for questions or problems that other officers of election face during Election Day. They are also responsible for escalating issues to the General Registrar or other authorities. “Officer Basics.” The Chief and Assistant Chief, must, “whenever practicable” not be from the same political party. Va. Code Ann. § 24.2-115.
• Same Day Registration (SDR) Specialist [2]: This role handles voters who register to vote and cast a ballot on election day. [3] “Same Day;” “Chiefs Briefing.” This role also involves accounting for provisional ballots. “Chiefs Briefing.” Some counties assign SDR Specialists to large precincts. In lieu of this officer, these duties are typically handled by the Chief Officer of Elections. “Chiefs Briefing.”