Precinct Election Officials

Cerro Gordo County is committed to conducting fair and impartial elections that are well-organized and professionally staffed.

The integrity of the election process and the people’s trust and confidence in the results are the foundations of democracy. This would be impossible without dedicated PEOs who serve on Election Day. That trust and confidence rely on people like you.

Yes, if you:

• Are a registered voter in Cerro Gordo County.
• Can follow detailed instructions.
• Are reliable, civic-minded, and have good reading and listening skills.
• Are friendly, enjoy working with and serving people.
• Are a team player.
• Attend a paid 2 – 3 hour training session before each election.
• Can be available to work a 14+ hour day.
• Are up to a challenge.

Depending on the size and interest in the election, the availability of workers in your precinct, the balance of Democratic/Republican for partisan elections, the abundance of experienced/new workers, and the level of your computer skills, you may be called for the following:

• Primary Elections which are held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in June of even-numbered years.
• General Elections which are held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of even-numbered years.
• City/School Elections which are held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of odd-numbered years.
• Special Elections which are called as necessary and are always held, as other elections in Iowa, on a Tuesday.
• Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

We will generally try to schedule workers to work in their own precinct, but sometimes you may be asked to work in a different one. Precinct Election Officials always have the option to accept or decline the request to work an election.

There are a number of tasks Precinct Election Officials do on Election Day:

• Be at the polling location at 6 a.m. until around 9:00 p.m.
• Take the official oath.
• Set up precinct materials, including tables/chairs, voting equipment, computer equipment, and signage before the polls open.
• Check-in and determine the eligibility of voters using a computer.
• Provide ballots and instructions to voters.
• Assist voters at the ballot scanner.
• Take down precinct materials, including tables/chairs, voting equipment, computer equipment and signage once the polls close.

• Precinct Election Officials are paid $11 per hour + mileage over 5 miles (IRS maximum allowable rate).
• Chairpersons are paid $13 per hour + mileage over 5 miles (IRS maximum allowable rate).
• Precinct Election Officials receive payment for hours and mileage to and from training and polling location.

No. Larger elections require more workers than small elections. Iowa law requires us to maintain a balance of political parties at all polling locations.

When we make assignments, we must balance political party for partisan elections, experience, predicted turnout and availability.