How to make money from elections
Working at a polling station during the upcoming election is the perfect money-making opportunity for students. Find out how to earn up to £250 for one day's work.
Credit: Credit: Alexandru Nika (left), Adam Gilchrist (right)- Shutterstock
Ever thought of taking on a one-off day job working at your local polling station on voting day?
If you've got a friendly and professional manner and fancy yourself a good communicator, this could be the perfect way to earn some quick cash.
All you need to do is reach out to your local council to let them know you're interested and make yourself free for the day. You could earn up to £250!
What does an election poll clerk do?
A poll clerk's job is to assist in the general running of voting day. They are the point of contact for any questions that voters might have.
If you've ever been to a polling station to vote, you'll be familiar with poll clerks. They're the people who greet you as you arrive to vote, issue your ballot paper and tick your name off their list of local registered voters.
They're also in charge of setting up voter booths and ensuring they provide complete privacy for each voter.
If you're working as a poll clerk, you'll often be given the opportunity to count votes late into the evening too (which can involve a higher payout).
Applying to work as an election poll clerk
Credit: Claudio Divizia – Shutterstock
How do you get a job as a poll clerk?
Lucky for you, the application process to work as a poll clerk is pretty straightforward. The key is to get in there nice and early, as positions tend to fill up quickly.
You can apply to work as a poll clerk as long as you are:
- Over 18 years of age
- Able to read and write
- On the electoral roll
- Not a member of any political party.
If you're not already on the electoral roll, get registered now. Not only do you need this in order to vote yourself, but not being registered also negatively impacts your credit rating. This is really important when it comes to just about anything money-related in your life, like getting a mortgage.
Find out how to check your credit score for free, plus tips on how to improve your rating in our guide.
How to apply to become a poll clerk
To apply, your first step should be to google your local council to find contact details of their Electoral Registration and Elections Office. You can also find yours on the government website by typing in your postcode.
You can then either call them or send an email enquiring if there are any stations looking for poll clerks. They'll then send you an application or point you in the direction of an online version if there's one available.
Bear in mind that places fill up fast. If you fancy a gig working the upcoming election, it's best to do it as soon as possible.
Looking for ideas on how to make some quick cash online? You could look into upselling items or selling your photos online.
