Election Employment | City of Hamilton

Get Involved in your Community

Apply to work the 2022 Municipal Election

Working an election is an important civic engagement opportunity for you to participate in the democratic process, and to get involved in your community while supporting the City in such an important undertaking.

Application period is open!

Municipal Election

How to Apply for Employment

The City is looking to fill positions at the poll for the upcoming Municipal Election on Monday October 24, 2022. There are a number of opportunities at the poll, and this is your chance to get involved.

You must be 16 years of age and entitled to work in Canada to work at one of the polls for the City of Hamilton Municipal Election.

Complete Election Employment Application Form(PDF, 197.13 KB)

If you are interested, submit the completed form to the Elections Team via email to [email protected] or in person at:

Election Office at City Hall
71 Main Street West, 1st floor
Hamilton, ON L8P 4Y5

Only successful applicants will be contacted.

Municipal Election

Job Descriptions

Managing Deputy Returning Officer (MDRO)

Deputy Returning Officer (DRO)

Revision Officer (RO)

Tabulating Deputy Returning Officer (TDRO)

Election Assistant (EA)

Greeter/Screener (G/S)

Duties

Supervision of the polling location
Contact person for the Ward Centre and Election office in the event of any problems at the voting location
Main point of contact for candidates and/or scrutineers onsite – they will verify candidate identification, and Scrutineer forms, issuing name tags to each upon verification
Responsible for the overall operation of the poll
May step in to cover positions, as necessary, to allow for breaks, etc.
Will assist in managing the overall flow of electors throughout the poll, stepping in to assist with ‘bottle-necking’, etc.
Responsible for the setting up and closing of the voting location
Responsible for opening and closing of the voting location
Ensure that no campaign material for any candidate is displayed within the voting location or on the exterior of the property
Respond to electors’ issues/comments/concerns in a professional manner
Responsible for ensuring that the final Ballot Summary for each Deputy Returning Officer at your voting location is completed and accurate
Transport ballot box(es), and supply boxes to the Ward Depot Site at the close of polls

Required

Vehicle required for pick up and return of supplies
Ability to lift 40+ lbs.
Proven leadership skills
Ability to manage a wide range of personalities
Ability to problem-solve, teach and coach
Ability to multi-task
Ability to accurately compete prescribed forms
Ability to effectively provide instruction
Ability to handle stress
Ability to confidently deal with poll staff and members of the public throughout all facets of the election process
Patience
Must have thorough understanding of all positions within the poll

Pay $425

Duties

Deputy Returning Officers are responsible for striking voters off the Voters’ list and for distributing the appropriate ballot to each elector.
Only electors who are on (or have been added to) the Voters’ list, and who have (or have attested to having) proper identification should be reaching the DRO table.
Once identification has (again) been verified, the DRO will strike the voter from the Voters’ list and give them their ballot. The voter will then be directed to the Voting screens or to the Accessible Voting machine where they will mark their ballot.
Should a friend or interpreter be accompanying a voter, the DRO will first issue an oral oath of secrecy to the helper and will then proceed through the regular steps to issue a ballot to the elector.
DRO will accept Voting Proxy forms from individuals appointed as a proxy, and issue ballots accordingly.
DRO will, with the assistance of the MDRO, provide curbside voting opportunities to individuals requiring that accommodation
Assists in the setting up and closing of the voting location

Required

Excellent communication skills
Excellent customer service skills
Ability to accurately follow procedures
Ability to effectively provide instruction
Ability to handle stress
Strong organizational, mathematical, and analytical abilities
Ability to multi-task
Strong computer skills required locate and strike off voters from the electronic Voters’ list

Pay $265

Duties

Will only see electors who require assistance:
- Will assist electors who are not on the Voters’ list to add themselves, or alter their info on the Voters’ List
- Will assist electors who do not have proper identification to complete a Declaration of Identity
Once electors have been added to, or corrected on the list, and have appropriate identification they will be directed to the DRO tables (or to the Touch Screen Specialist when required)
Assists in the setting up and closing of the voting location

Required

Excellent communication skills
Ability to effectively provide instruction
Strong organizational skills
Ability to handle stress
Ability to print, and complete forms legibly
Strong communication and organizational skills
Ability to handle stress
Ability to explain/educate electors on the Voters’ List and identification requirements
Strong computer skills required to add voters to, and/or make corrections on the Voters’ list

Pay $250

Duties

Responsible for picking up the tabulator and ballot box(es) from the Election office and transporting them to the poll for election day
TDRO will set up tabulator and ballot box inside the poll and ensure it is in proper working order prior to the opening of the poll
Assists in the setting up and closing of the voting location
TDRO is responsible for operating, and troubleshooting the tabulator in accordance with their training, and training guide throughout the day
The Tabulating DRO will receive completed ballots from voters and run them through the tabulator
Once ballots are successfully tabulated, the TDRO will advise the elector that their vote has been cast and they are free to go
At the end of the night the TDRO is responsible for appropriately shutting down the machine to ensure accurate vote tabulation
At the close of voting, the TDRO will return the tabulator and sealed ballot box(es) to the Ward Centre for transport and results tabulation

Required

Vehicle required
Ability to lift 40 lbs
Strong technological aptitude
Ability to follow trouble-shooting steps in order to resolve technical issues should they arise
Preference will be given to those with prior experience operating municipal or provincial tabulators

Pay $235

Duties

First point of contact for voters once inside the poll
Should ‘triage’ Voters by verifying 3 things:
- Is the voter in the correct location? (verified by voter cards, and/or street index)
- Is the voter on the voters list? (verified on ePoll book if they do not have a voter card)
- Do they have acceptable identification? (verified by Ontario reg. 304/13)
Any voters without proper identification, or who are not on the Voters’ list are directed to a Revision Assistant to fill out the necessary forms
Voters who are on the Voters’ list and who have proper identification are directed to the DRO tables to receive their ballot
Election Assistants will alert the MDRO when any candidates or Scrutineers arrive to the poll
Assists in the setting up and closing of the voting location

Required

Excellent communication skills
Ability to effectively provide instruction
Strong organizational skills
Ability to handle stress
Ability to explain/educate electors on the Voters’ List and the voting process
Ability to read and interpret ward maps, and Voter Street Index
Computer skills required to accurately locate voters in electronic Voters’ List (ePoll book)
Ability to multi-task

Pay $215

Duties

Should be inside the building, just outside of the poll
Second point of contact for voters
To help streamline the process, these individuals will ask voters if they have their Voters cards and ID, ensuring that they have them ready for when they approach the Election Assistant table
If lineups exist, they will ensure chairs are available for those who may require them
Responsible for disinfecting/cleaning as required, ensuring 2m distance maintained
Assists in the setting up and closing of the voting location

Required

Excellent inter-personal and communication skills
Ability to follow direction
No previous Election experience required

Pay $200

Training

Training will take place in September or early October online or in person depending on position. You will be contacted with specific details closer to that time.

Payment

Payment Schedule - Election pay cheques are mailed out after the election day. The target date for cheque mail out is approximately six to eight weeks after election day, October 24, 2022.
Deductions and Income Tax - Election Officials who work a minimum of 35 hours or earn $500 or more will have Federal and Provincial income tax, Employment Insurance (EI), and Canada Pension Plan (CPP) premiums deducted from their pay. T4 slips are only issued if you earned more than $500 or worked more than 35 hours.
Accommodations - The City is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We are committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Please let us know if you require accommodations and we will work with you to meet your needs.

Election Office

Contact Us

In Person

City Hall, 1st Floor
71 Main Street West
Hamilton, ON
L8P 4Y5

By Phone or Email

Call 905-546-4365 or
Email [email protected]

Date modified

September 29, 2022