Team up for Democracy (TUFD): Information & Requirements

TEAM UP FOR DEMOCRACY (TUFD) is a poll worker recruitment program which allows participating organizations to “adopt” a polling place, raise funds for their organization, and provide a valued service to their community. A true win-win situation!

General Requirements:

• Be either 18 years of age, a U.S. citizen and registered voter in California, or a lawful permanent resident or
• Be a high school student, at least 16 years of age in good academic standing
• Read, speak and write English
• Work on election day from 6:00 a.m. until all duties are complete, approximately 9:30 p.m. Your organization may split the day into shifts.
• Attend a 2 ½ hour mandatory training class, per election
• Have transportation to and from the polling place
• Some locations require the presence of an English/Spanish bilingual poll worker

Responsibilities:

Coordinator (may also be the inspector):

• Act as the point of contact between the organization and the Elections office
• Submit all required documents including names and contact information for all clerks in a timely manner
• Inform the Elections office of personnel changes

Clerks:

• Prepare, open, and close the polling place
• Find voter information in the roster of voters
• Issue and accept official ballots
• Assist voters in all phases of the voting process
• Perform all duties assigned by the Registrar of Voters

The inspector must also:

• Be in charge of the polling place on Election Day (must be present all day)
• Receive and check election supplies
• Assign duties to clerks
• Call his/her clerks and confirm they attend their assigned training class and confirm they will work on election day
• Arrange access to the polling place before election day for early set-up and election morning
• If required at your location, ensure an English/Spanish speaking poll worker is present at all times

Students:

• Participate in a 2 ½ hour poll worker training class before every election
• Serve on a 4 to 6 person team and participate in the operation of a polling place on election day.

TUFD Poll Worker Stipend*:
Inspector $185
Clerk #1, #2, & #3 $135 each
Clerk #4 - #12 $25 each