Working at the Election

Interested in working at the election?

Thank you for your interest in working at North Cowichan's election. Before applying, please review the information contained within the drop-down menus below, which explains what election officials can expect, including compensation and training, hours of work, required skills and abilities, and general duties.

The information also includes additional conditions and important details related to working at the election.

When you submit your application, you confirm that you have read and understood the provided information. Applications that are incomplete or do not meet the requirements may not be accepted.

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Compensation and training information for Election Officials

Election officials are compensated in accordance with the Election Personnel Remuneration Policy.

Daily pay rates

Payment is based on the position worked:

Presiding Election Official (PEO): $600 per day
Alternate Presiding Election Official (APEO): $450 per day
Election Official (EO): $300 per day

Additional compensation

Voting location set‑up: $40 for each 2‑hour set‑up shift
Meals: $23 per meal for lunch and dinner

Mandatory training

All election officials are required to attend a mandatory training session:

PEOs and APEOs: $50 for a 2‑hour training session
Election Officials: $40 for a 2‑hour training session

Training sessions will be scheduled between September and October, 2026.

If you are unable to attend a mandatory training session, please do not submit an application.

Applying to work

Anyone wishing to work in the 2026 General Local Election must complete an application, including individuals who have worked in previous North Cowichan elections.

All applicants will be notified by the end of July regarding the status of their application.

Hours

If you commit to work on (advance and general) voting day, we ask that you arrive at your assigned voting place by 7:00 a.m. to ensure that you are ready to go when the doors open at 8:00 a.m. You must remain at the voting place all day until the Presiding Election Official advises that you can leave.  We anticipate that you will be able to leave the voting place by 8:15 p.m. or earlier. Election officials scheduled to work on general voting day should vote at one of the advanced polls.

Required knowledge, skills and abilities

To be an impartial and neutral representative on the election team;
To have excellent verbal communication skills;
To have basic English literacy and language skills (the person does not have to be a native speaker but should be able to communicate adequately);
To have basic arithmetic and analytical skills;
To understand and follow oral directions, written instructions, or checklists;
To have the stamina and patience to interact with a variety of people throughout a very long day;
To do repetitive work accurately and efficiently;
To conduct themselves in a professional and efficient manner;
To act responsibly and exercise good judgment;
To have good attention to detail;
To have good interpersonal skills for dealing with a variety of people;
To be able to communicate orally in another language (not required); and
To be able to communicate in writing in another language (not required).

Election Official duties

Additional information

Becoming involved in the electoral process is a great way for young adults to become educated electors before they are old enough to vote. Given that North Cowichan often employs people in this age bracket (15 to 17) to administer recreation programs which may include children, the human resources department is familiar with the employment restrictions for this age bracket. The Chief Election Officer will interview each young adult who applies and will make a decision on a case-by-case basis. These young adults can fill the positions of greeters, machine attendant, or voting booth attendant at the voting place.

As an election official you must remain neutral and impartial at all times and must not publicly support candidates. Maintaining the integrity of the election is of the utmost importance.

Interested in working at the election?

Contact Information