Become an Election Worker

Election workers make elections run smoothly, fairly, and securely. They set up the polling place, check in registered voters, assist voters, and help close the polls when voting ends. It is paid, trained work — and one of the most direct ways to serve your community. Caldwell County recruits workers for every election, for both early voting and Election Day.

• Set up the polling place before the polls open
• Check in and process registered voters
• Issue ballots and explain the voting equipment
• Assist voters and answer their questions
• Maintain order in the polling place
• Close the polls and deliver results to the Central Count Station

You may be eligible to serve if you:

• Are registered to vote in Caldwell County;
• Do not currently hold an elected office, and do not work for an elected official;
• Enjoy working with the public and being part of your community.

Election workers are appointed and are compensated for training and for hours worked — ask the Elections Office about current rates when you apply. A minimum of Election Worker Class One certification is required to work elections; workers appointed to a term need Class Two certification.

Texas students aged 16 and over may serve as student election clerks — a first-hand look at the democratic process, an impressive addition to a resume or college application, and community service hours for school. Working under the supervision of the presiding judge, student clerks help organize the polling place, check in and process voters, distribute ballots, explain the voting equipment, and help close the polls.

1. Complete the application. Fill in the Student Election Clerk Application and Permission Slip.
2. Get a parent or guardian signature on the permission section.
3. Get your school principal's authorization, and make sure your absence to work will be excused.
4. Send it to the Elections Office — aim for at least 60 days before Election Day; places fill up.
5. Attend the required training, then work the polls during early voting or on Election Day as assigned.

A Volunteer Deputy Registrar (VDR) is an official authorized to register voters in the State of Texas — appointed by the county's voter registrar, trusted to help increase voter registration in the community, and trained to follow Texas election law when accepting applications. To be appointed you must:

• Be at least 18 years old;
• Be a United States citizen;
• Be a resident of the State of Texas;
• Not have been determined by a final judgment of a probate court to be totally mentally incapacitated, or partially mentally incapacitated without the right to vote;
• Never have been convicted of failing to deliver a voter registration application to a voter registrar;
• Not have been finally convicted of identity theft under Section 32.51 of the Penal Code; and
• Not have been finally convicted of a felony — or have fully discharged the sentence or been pardoned.

Contact the Elections Office to ask how training is offered; an appointment runs through the end of the calendar year.

Election Day: polling places are open 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Workers arrive as early as 6:00 a.m. and stay until all equipment is packed and results are delivered to the Central Count Station. Early voting: hours vary by election — for the November 2026 General Election, early voting runs Monday, October 19 through Friday, October 30.

Every election worker is trained before serving. Caldwell County runs in-person training sessions, and the Secretary of State provides online poll worker training you can work through at your own pace, plus training and educational resources in English and Spanish.

Complete a Worker Information Sheet and return it to the Elections Office by email, post, fax, or in person. After you apply:

1. We confirm your eligibility — that you are registered in Caldwell County and eligible to serve.
2. You are assigned to training and told when and where your certification training takes place.
3. You are assigned to a location — which polling place or early voting site you are serving, and your hours.