(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) – If you have ever wondered what it takes to run an election, here is your chance to find out firsthand. The Ventura County Elections Division is hiring hundreds of temporary workers to help administer the June 2 Gubernatorial Primary Election, and they are looking for people from all walks of life to fill the roles.
The division runs elections that serve every voter across all 10 cities and the unincorporated areas in Ventura County, and pulling that off takes a large team of people working both in front of voters and behind the scenes. Ahead of every major election cycle, the county recruits hundreds of community members to make sure everything runs safely, securely, and efficiently, from the moment a ballot is printed to the moment it is counted.
There are several ways to get involved. Workers may be assigned to a vote center, where they assist voters in person, issue ballots, perform data entry, and help resolve questions from the public. Others verify signatures on mail ballots, transport ballots between locations, or staff the voter assistance hotline. For those interested in a leadership role, Elections Worker II positions are also available, with responsibilities that include supervising staff, setting up and closing vote centers, coordinating with the Elections Office to troubleshoot issues, and ensuring ballots are securely transported following strict two-person custody requirements. Positions are available at a variety of skill levels, so no specialized background is required to get started.
Beyond the civic reward, the work pays. Elections Worker I positions start at $22.50 an hour and Elections Worker II positions pay $25.50 an hour. Vote center assignments range from several days to several weeks depending on operational needs. These are temporary positions, paid hourly, and do not include county benefits, but the pay is competitive for short-term work and many workers come back election after election.
The opportunity is well suited for retirees looking to stay engaged, people between jobs who want to build their resume, those who are new to the workforce, and self-employed workers with a flexible schedule. Hours can include evenings and weekends, and assignments may vary from day to day based on what the division needs heading into election day.
“Our elections workers are absolutely vital for conducting each election,” said Michelle Ascencion, Ventura County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters. “Every year we have a variety of workers, some who have come back to serve for multiple elections, and some who are new and signing up for the first time. All are ready to learn and enthusiastic about participating in the democratic process. We invite everyone who has an interest in elections to make a difference by helping us administer our local elections with integrity and professionalism.”
All workers must pass a pre-employment background check before receiving training at the County Government Center in Ventura. After training, vote center workers are assigned to a location in or near their own city whenever possible, which means there is a good chance you will spend election season helping your own neighbors drop off their mail ballots or vote in person.Because this is a continuous recruitment, it can close at any time once the division has enough qualified applicants, so applying sooner rather than later is strongly encouraged. To learn more about available positions and how to apply, visit vote.venturacounty.gov.
