Student Workers

Interested in being a Student Election Worker?

Student Election Clerk Information

Requirements to be a Student Election Clerk:

• Be at least 16 years old on Election Day;
• Be enrolled in a public, private, or qualified home school;
• Be a U.S. citizen; 
• Have consent of his/her parent or legal guardian to work the election;
• Have consent of his/her school principal (or parent/legal guardian for home-schooled students); and
• Complete election worker training (see Extra Information for more).

Responsibilities of a Student Election Clerk:

• Organizing the polling place before the polls open.
• Ensuring that qualified voters are permitted to vote.
• Checking in and processing voters.
• Distributing ballots to registered voters.
• Providing instructions and assistance to voters.
• Answering voters’ questions.
• Explaining the use of the voting equipment.
• Maintaining order in the polling place on Election Day.
• Assisting to close the polling place.

Qualities for a Student Election Clerk:

• Able to follow instructions
• Understands basic technology (all tech will be explained during training)
• Can handle expensive equipment gently
• Polite to voters and other workers
• Able to communicate with voters
• Able to keep opinions re politics to themselves
• Can keep confidential matters quiet, such as voters who vote or how a voter votes
• Willing to ask questions when needed
• Will arrive on time and stay for the entirety of their scheduled shift
• Optional: Able to speak and understand Spanish 

Important Notes from the Secretary of State:

• A school district may excuse a student for the purpose of serving as an Early Voting and/or Election Day clerk for a maximum of two days in a school year.  
• Example: A student could work two weekdays during Early Voting for an election held on a Saturday and then also work on Election Day, as the student would only have to be excused from school for two days
• Up to four student election clerks may work at a single Early Voting site at a time, and up to two student clerks may work at an Election Day polling place at a time. 

Benefits of Serving as a Student Election Clerk:

• Students can earn community service hours for school or be given extra credit at the school or teacher’s discretion.
• If the school or teacher wishes, we can fill out an evaluation of the student worker
• Students will gain practical experience by serving their community and state.
• Experience as an election clerk is an impressive addition to a resumé or college application.
• Students can take part in a rewarding activity while learning about the democratic process.

Dress Code:

• No political (candidate or party) clothing, buttons, hats, etc. 
• Clothing must adhere to school policy

Extra Information: 

• Election School is required for all workers. Election School is a 4-hour course conducted in the Jury Pool Room in the County Annex (typically) across the street from the Courthouse. We offer different dates for election school including a weekend date. 
• There will be a school in the middle of February 2024 (most likely Feb 15, 16, 17) focused on the Primary, City/School, and Runoff 2024 Elections
• There will be a school in the middle of October 2024 (most likely Oct 17, 18, 19) focused on the November 2024 Presidential Election 
• Students working a full day will be given a 1-hour lunch break; the County Clerk’s Elections department will provide lunch for the student workers.
• There will be snacks and drinks available (limited selection and quantity) for the student workers. They are allowed to bring their own if desired. 
• Students will be working in the Courthouse in Stephenville under the supervision of the Presiding Judge and the County Clerk’s Office.
• Application/Permission form must be turned in at least 60 days prior to Election Day.
• Students will be allowed to read, play games, or be on their phones when there are no voters in the vote center. When voters are present phones must be put in a pocket or purse. The students will not have access to a WIFI network. 
• Students CANNOT take any pictures inside the vote center.