Election staff
A general election has been called for Thursday 12 December 2019. We are now recruiting staff to work on these elections.
If you wish to work on this election, please complete and return an application form. We expect to make appointments within the next two weeks, so we need to receive your application by 14 November 2019.
Applications from those who have been unsuccessful will be placed on the reserve list. If people drop out, you may still be contacted up to polling day and asked if you are available to work. Unfortunately, we will not have time to officially notify unsuccessful applicants on this occasion. If you do not hear from us, please consider your application unsuccessful.
Polling hours will be from 7am to 10pm on Thursday 12 December, which means arriving at polling places at 6am.
All staff at polling stations are required to complete a training session of about 1 to 1.5 hours. Presiding Officers and Poll Clerks will need to successfully complete an online training course (internet enabled device and connection will be required). Payment for completing training is included in the expected fees below, as are all expenses.
The verification of all ballot papers and the vote count will be on the night of Thursday 12 December and will take place at Canons Leisure Centre. Count Assistants will need to be in their seats by 9.30pm, please arrive promptly to avoid delays. Due to the lack of notice, and the straightforward counting method, you will not need to attend a training session beforehand.
Postal vote opening sessions will be held from Monday 2 December up to polling night (12 December).
Pay rates:
- Postal vote assistant – £12.25 per hour
- Senior presiding officer – £415.06 including transport of ballot boxes and use of mobile phone
- Presiding officer – £394.25 including transport of ballot boxes and use of mobile phone
- Poll clerk – £254.57
- Count Assistant - £27.84 per hour
- Count Supervisor – £38.03 per hour
It is anticipated the count will finish at around 3am but staff should be prepared to work longer hours in the event of delays or a recount.
For more information about the roles, please see the job descriptions.
Completed applications should be returned by email: electoral.services@merton.gov.uk or by post: (Acting) Returning Officer, Electoral Services Office, Merton Civic Centre, Morden, SM4 5DX.
Canvassers
Every year we recruit a number of canvassers to assist with updating the electoral register.
Recruitment for working on canvassing duties has now closed.
Please check back around July/August when we will be recruiting again.
