Counting votes at an election

[Cuddlysnowleopard]

Can anyone apply to do this? How do you get involved?

Just curious, as obviously don't have enough else going on in my life...

I did it years ago, I worked for a Bank and we were all asked if we would like to do it as we had experience of counting notes quickly. I think the Council or someone approached the Bank.

There will be an electoral services officer at your local council, drop them an email and ask. In my area it's the same people do it every time, but there's no harm in asking if they need anyone else.

I've been to a count as an observer. If everything is straightforward it can be fun, if it goes to recounts it can become quite tiresome!

In our council they use existing council staff.

I have done it, and worked in the polling station and prepared the postal votes. I work for the council (in a completely unrelated role) and they had a poster up asking for staff one year. Once you've done a job for them once they tend to invite you to apply every time. You don't have to work for the council (although I think it makes their payroll easier if you do). It's an interesting job to do once in a while, we also got a free sandwich and Kit Kat last time I did it 😆 try contacting your councils election services department for info.

I’ve done it since 1997 so expecting an email quite soon!

You can also apply to be a poll clerk (handing people their ballot papers) though that is a 17 hour shift. I’ve already done that twice this year!

Another job is canvassing, where you deliver registration papers to 2-300 houses where people haven’t bothered to return theirs. This takes 3-4 days.