Election Worker Information

Election workers help with the voting process and vote counting. For the purposes of the Local Authorities Election Act, all election staff who work at the voting station are classified as Deputy Returning Officers (DRO).

Worker Eligibility

You can be an election worker if you are eligible to work in Canada. You must also be able to work the entire duration of the shift you are hired to work and attend an Election Training Session. For example, if you work the day shift on Election Day (Monday October 20, 2025), you will be required to work from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and help take down the voting station.

Preference may be given to applicants with previous election experience, and those willing to work the evening/night (ballot counting) shift.

Election Worker Positions

We are recruiting for the following positions:

Electors Register Administrators
Ballot Issuers
Ballot Counters
Standby Workers

Requirements for All Positions:

New this year: youth who will be 16 years of age by October 8, 2025, may apply to be Greeters/Information Officers.
Workers must be at least 16 years old.
Previous election experience preferred.
Customer service skills, including the ability to exercise impartiality and confidentiality.
Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment.
Must be physically able to lift supplies weighing up to 30 pounds.
Must attend a mandatory training session. Must be available to attend the Mandatory Training Session(s).
Strong communication and comprehension skills.
Strong attention to detail and mathematic skills.
Ability to perform repetitive tasks, follow directions and complete detailed forms and paperwork.
Ability to work long hours and potential to stand/sit for extended periods.
Experience with using computers and technology is an asset.

Persons Ineligible to Work:

Candidates running in the election.
Official agents and scrutineers of candidates.
Individuals engaged in a role that creates a conflict of interest.

Important Information for All Election Workers:

Election Workers should be prepared to remain on the voting station premises for the duration of their shift.

Water/beverages – workers should bring enough to last their entire shift
Food/snacks – workers should bring enough to last their entire shift (there may not be any kitchen facilities at your voting station)
Clothing – dress in layers, and ensure you are comfortable
Footwear – wear comfortable footwear
Medication

Election Worker Job Descriptions

Voting Station Presiding Deputy Returning Officer (Voting Station PDRO)

The Presiding Deputy Returning Officer (PDRO) is in charge of the voting station. They know what each job at the station needs. The PDRO:

supervises everyone,
deals with scrutineers and observers,
organizes deliveries and materials,
maintains the secrecy of the vote and provides assistance to electors,
makes sure everything runs smoothly,
responsible for sitting in for workers on breaks,
responsible for the safety and security of the voted ballots in the sealed ballot boxes, and
responsible for all election supplies and equipment at the designated voting station.

In addition to the above the following are required:

Must provide own cell phone for communication with Election Central, as required
Review training material to ensure understanding of your role
Experience supervising approximately 10 to 15 people
Must possess mathematical, organizational, verbal and written communication skills
Taking down the voting station
Other related duties, as required

Competencies: High interpersonal, communication skills, attention to detail and familiarity with using technology (i.e. laptop and software applications).

Shift: Election Day - 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m or 7:30 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.

Voting Station Assistant Presiding Deputy Returning Officer (Voting Station PDRO)

The Assistant Presiding Deputy Returning Officer (APDRO) helps the Presiding Deputy Returning Officer (PDRO) by:

assigning breaks,
tracking ballots,
assist voters putting their ballots in the box,
keeps the ballot boxes secure,
checking that everything is done correctly, and
assist in taking down the voting station.

If the PDRO is away, the APDRO takes over their tasks.

Competencies: High interpersonal, communication skills, attention to detail and familiarity with using technology (i.e. laptop and software applications).

Shift: Election Day - 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.

Greeter/Information Officer

The Greeter:

greets voters,
tells the Presiding Deputy Returning Officer (PDRO) or Assistant Presiding Deputy Returning Officer (APDRO) if a voter needs help,
direct electors to an available voting registration table,
manages lines,
answers questions, and
assist in taking down the voting station.

Competencies: High interpersonal and communication skills

Shift: Election Day - 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Elector Register Administrator

The Elector Register Administrator is responsible for:

confirming the elector is on the Permanent Electors Register by using the VoterView software,
confirm the elector has valid ID for voting,
add Electors to the Permanent Electors Register,
update VoterView to confirm that the elector has received the ballots, and
assist in taking down the voting station.

Competencies: High interpersonal and communication skills, attention to detail and familiarity with using technology (i.e. laptop and software applications).

Shift: Election Day - 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Ballot Issuer

The Ballot Issuer is responsible for:

issuing of ballots upon confirmation the elector is on the Permanent Electors Register;
explaining to the voter the offices that may be voted for (Office of Mayor, Office of Councillor, Office of Public School Trustee and Office of Separate School Trustee),
explaining the process for completing the ballot and where to drop the ballots in the ballot box;
assisting in taking down the voting station.

Competencies: High interpersonal and communication skills, and attention to detail.

Shift: Election Day - 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Ballot Counter

The Ballot Counter is responsible for:

manually counting the ballots for the four offices that may be voted on (Office of Mayor, Office of Councillor, Office of Public School Trustee and Office of Separate School Trustee), and
assisting in taking down the voting station.

Ballot Counters will be in teams of three and will validate each other’s counts to ensure accuracy.

Competencies: Extremely high attention to detail, and high interpersonal and communication skills.

Shifts: Election Day - 7:30 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.

The completion time for the night shift is not definitively known, and ballot counters must be prepared to work until the count is completed.

Mobile PDRO, Mobile DRO

The Mobile Team goes to care facilities and shelters to help residents vote.

They need to have their own vehicle and cell phone. They do the same jobs as the Presiding Deputy Returning Office (PDRO) and Deputy Returning Officer (DRO).

See the PDRO and DRO job descriptions for more details.

Competencies: Extremely high attention to detail, and high interpersonal and communication skills.

Shifts: Election Day - 7:30 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.

Standby Worker

A Stand-by Worker is ready to fill in if another election worker cancels at the last minute. They must be ready to go to the assigned location on short notice. This includes working the day shift from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. or the night shift from 7:30 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.