Students Serving at the Polls

Election Pages

Students who are not eligible to vote or who only wish to participate for a portion of the day may serve as Election Pages.

• Students must be U.S./VA Government students.
• Students must have the written permission of their parents or teacher (if under 18).
• Students must be recommended by his/her government teacher or home school advisor.

Responsibilities

• Are required to work the hours set by the Electoral Board.
• Will assist Election Officers with various tasks, including directing voters and distributing information. Pages may not check names, or operate voting machines or tally results, but may observe.
• Are required to attend a training class.
• Are required to subscribe to the Election Page Oath administered by the Chief Election officer.
• Do not represent a political party.
• Do not receive compensation for serving.

Election Officers

Students who will be 18 years old on or before Election Day, and have registered to vote on or before the registration deadline, are eligible to serve as Election officers.

Responsibilities

• Are required to work the entire day from 5 a.m. to whenever the tallies are completed.
• Are legally responsible for the conduct of the election, including checking names and ID's, operating voting machines and ascertaining results.
• Are required to attend a training class.
• Are required to subscribe to the Constitutional Oath prior to Election Day.
• Are required to subscribe to the election Officer Oath administered by the Chief election Officer before the polls open on election morning.
• Must choose to represent either the Democratic or Republican party.
• Are paid positions.

All Participants

• Will serve under the direct supervision of the Chief Election Officer in the precinct.
• Must be strictly impartial at all times, not discussing politics, candidates or issues.
• Must arrive on time and may not leave the polling place until their time is up.
• Are expected to dress appropriately-no jeans, shorts, sweats, t-shirts, etc.
• Are expected to use appropriate language and behavior at all times.
• Are expected to work, not visit, with friend and neighbors.

Parents & Teachers

The Electoral Board will attempt to assign to polling places near their homes and high school. No more than two students will be assigned for each shift at each polling place. The Electoral Board will provide the school/teachers with a list of participants and numbers of hours worked so that they may award classroom credit as appropriate. Students, whether serving as election pages or election officers, must attend the appropriate training class in order to qualify for assignment and credit in this program.

The Electoral Board will attempt to accommodate those parent(s) who wish to serve as election officers in the precincts at which their children have been assigned. However, we can not guarantee that those assignments are available.