Temporary Extra Help - Elections Worker

About the Department

The Whatcom County Auditor's Office is seeking temporary, on-call workers to assist during an election. We are looking for hard working, team oriented, dedicated people with flexible schedules to serve as Election workers.

Qualified applicants must be able to commit to a 3-week election period, occasionally working extra-long days, partial days, and Saturdays if necessary. Individuals who care deeply about free and fair election and value supporting the election process will be a good fit for these short-term positions.

There are different assignments available:

• Collecting: workers travel to various drop box locations to collect, seal, and transport all returned ballots to the Election Center
• Opening Board: workers separate, open, and inspect ballots in preparation for scanning.  Additional duties include sorting ballot envelopes, adjudicating, and other tasks as assigned.
• Voting Center: workers focus on customer service in the Voting Center.  Requires computer, phone, and customer service skills, along with the ability to multitask

The positions will remain temporary and on-call.  Employees will be notified via email the day before a scheduled work day with instruction for the day. We will only call in enough workers to complete the daily work. The daily work is dependent on the size of the election turnout or number of ballots received.

Length of Position: Approximately 3 weeks (two weeks before the election day, and one week after the election day). 

The Election Center is located in the basement of the Whatcom County Courthouse at 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham. The Voting Center is located in the Auditor’s Office, Suite 103, at the Whatcom County Courthouse.

Minimum Qualifications

Employees are required to:

• Wear masks and gloves while working
• Be comfortable working in the Election Center, where all work is live streamed on the internet
• Follow directions
• Work independently or with other people
• Work for lengthy periods of time without fatigue (sitting or standing for up to two hours)
• Count
• Print legibly
• Lift up to 20 pounds
• Walk up and down stairs

Running for office or campaigning for a candidate or ballot measure will make you ineligible to work the election.

Other Qualifications

• For a 5 hour (or less) work day, employees receive one paid 15-minute break. 

• For an 8 hour day, employees receive two paid 15-minute breaks and a 30-minute unpaid lunch. 

• Paid parking spots are not available for temporary election workers.