poll worker

American  

[pohl wur-ker] / ˈpoʊl ˌwɜr kər /

noun

1. a person who volunteers and is officially appointed or trained by a local board of elections to facilitate and oversee elections, including checking in voters, issuing and collecting ballots, and explaining and monitoring the polling equipment.

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Etymology

Origin of poll worker

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

Sunil Singh*, a poll worker in Ghaziabad, said that his "platelet count had dropped" sharply in the past couple of days but he wasn't being allowed to take leaves because of SIR duties.

From BBC • Dec. 7, 2025

A poll worker suggested she complete her ballot on the check-in table and got annoyed when Ms. Cosma said she had a right to complete it privately.

From New York Times • Apr. 18, 2024

Problems have included long lines, poll worker shortages and ballots that weren’t counted the day of the election.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 10, 2023

County’s poll worker data as well as privileged communications between Yu, Konnech and their attorneys, the complaint alleges, adding that they have not returned that information and have instead threatened to release it publicly.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 14, 2023

The new contest had been called after a poll worker allegedly made a mistake in telling voters that one of the four candidates had died, which could have swung a race decided by eight votes.

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2023