North Dakota voters face a new poll-worker push ahead of the November election

North Dakota election officials are seeking more than 3,000 poll workers for the statewide general election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Residents who are at least 16, are U.S. citizens and live in North Dakota may be eligible to serve.

The Secretary of State’s Office announced the recruitment effort Monday, August 10, one day before the state’s Poll Worker Recruitment Day. The practical first step for interested residents is to contact their county auditor or county election official, because recruitment, assignments and training are handled locally.

Who can serve as a poll worker?

The North Dakota Secretary of State’s guidance says poll workers must be United States citizens, at least 16 years old and North Dakota residents. No prior election experience is required; county election officials provide the instruction needed for the job.

State law also allows some high school and college students who are 16 or older to serve as poll clerks. The statute includes additional requirements for those appointments, including citizenship, North Dakota residency, at least 30 days of precinct residency before the election and good standing as a student. Eligible students may be excused from school during poll-worker service and required training if they obtain the written approvals and county-auditor certification required by law.

State law bars a person from serving on the election board or as a poll clerk if the person is a candidate in that election or is an immediate family member of a candidate listed in the statute. County officials can explain any assignment-specific requirements.

How to sign up

Residents should contact their county auditor or local election official and say they are interested in becoming a poll worker. The Secretary of State’s voter guidance also directs residents to their local county election official for sign-up information.

North Dakota has not announced a single statewide application deadline in the recruitment guidance cited here. Counties organize recruitment and scheduling, so residents who want to serve should contact their county soon enough for officials to fill staffing needs and schedule required instruction before November 3.

What the work involves

Poll workers do more than check voters’ names. Before polls open, they help set up and prepare the polling location. During voting, duties may include checking in voters, maintaining pollbook information, distributing ballots, answering questions and assisting with voting equipment.

State law assigns election-board members responsibilities that include distributing ballots and other election materials, helping voters who request assistance with marking ballots or operating voting-system devices, and maintaining order in the polling place. Poll clerks maintain the pollbook and verify voter information. At the end of the day, workers help close the polling place and complete required election procedures.

Specific duties depend on the position and county. State law requires at least two poll clerks at each polling place, and election-board members and poll clerks must attend county training before a primary or general election.

Training is paid

The Secretary of State’s voter guidance says training sessions are typically no more than two hours. State law makes the training mandatory for election-board members and poll clerks and requires payment for training hours at least at the state minimum wage, along with applicable necessary expenses and mileage.

The law sets a higher minimum for members of election boards: They must be paid at least 25% more than the state minimum wage during the time they perform election duties, including covered training. That provision should not be automatically applied to every poll clerk or other election worker. Applicants should ask their county about the rate, expected hours and payment procedures for the specific position they are offered.

Why staffing matters

North Dakota needs more than 3,000 poll workers to conduct a statewide election. Adequate staffing helps counties open polling locations, check voters in, distribute ballots, answer questions and complete closing procedures.

For residents, serving as a poll worker is a paid way to support the local election process while learning how voting is administered. The work is organized at the county level, but the staffing need applies across North Dakota ahead of the November 3 general election.

Sources

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