Department of Elections
City and County of San Francisco
John Arntz, Director

For Immediate Release
SAN FRANCISCO, Friday, October 28, 2022 – By next week, over 2,000 poll workers will have completed training provided by the Department of Elections. 

“I want to extend a heartfelt appreciation to all of those San Franciscans volunteering as poll workers.  These individuals will staff polling places on Election Day to ensure a positive voting experience for all,” said Director John Arntz. “For this election, nearly 700 high school students joined our Poll Worker Team. We are very grateful for our longstanding partnership with local high schools to engage the youth in this volunteer service and facilitate pre-registration for those who are 16 or 17 years old.”

Over the last few weeks, poll worker trainees completed either a self-paced, online training course or one of in-person classes covering poll worker tasks and procedures in detail. To supplement poll worker training, the Department also makes the Poll Worker Manual and training videos available, all of which are posted at sfelections.sfgov.org/poll-worker-training-resources.

Over the next several days, all poll worker trainees will have the opportunity to put their knowledge to the test by completing essential tasks and operating voting equipment in one of the practice labs.

Poll worker training that must be completed by all poll workers serving in this election focuses on how to 1) provide respectful and unbiased service to voters of all backgrounds, ethnicities, and needs, 2) protect the right of every voter to freely cast a secret ballot without any interference, 3) safeguard election integrity by securing all voter data, voting equipment, and voted ballots, and 4) ensure that every election is functional by closely following all procedural instructions.

Members of the public and the media are welcome to attend poll worker training as observers. For a copy of the training schedule, contact the Department at (415) 554-4375 or send an email to sfvote@sfgov.org.

Although the Department met its poll worker recruitment goal, it will continue to accept new applicants to account for anticipated poll worker cancellations and to increase bilingual services at polling places. In this election, each poll worker will receive a stipend ranging from $225 to $295, depending on their assignment. Anyone interested in serving as a poll worker can still apply at sfelections.org/pwa, call (415) 554-4395, or stop by the Department’s office in City Hall, Room 48.

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Department of Elections
City and County of San Francisco
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
City Hall, Room 48
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 554-4375
sfelections.org