Election jobs

no payscale. You just get paid a lump sum for the day. About $600 as polling official from memory. Day is long though – about 15-18 hours. You have to go to training beforehand as well.

What is the pay scale like ?

Lazy I said :

Having worked at a polling place once in the past, it is likely one of the most unforgiving soul destroying jobs you will ever do.. but I recommend you do it for the experience.

There are several great groups of people you will get to meet on your journey.

The ‘I have been saving this one up’ people:
These people line up at the door before opening, and then when the doors open they storm over and release some tirade of anti-government directed abuse they have been saving up for the last couple of years, generally about some inane policy that has affected them and you have likely never heard of.

The ‘I have filled out this form 5 times already’ people:
These are the people who have had loved ones die and they ask if they are still on the role, then when you tell them they are you cop the abuse about how they have requested the love one be removed 5+ times and nothing is ever done. When you direct them to the form to remove the loved one from the role and attempt to assist them to fill it out they storm off in a huff to make a scene in front of the increasing line of people waiting to be served.

The ‘For the 10th time, my name is *mumble mumble*’ people:
Voting is pretty simple, but apparently stating your name clearly so you can be marked off the roll is not. These people come in, usually in a rush to get to some sporting event for their offspring that they have waiting in the 4WD in the handicapped park outside… and they hastily say ‘my name is *mumble mumble*’ when you ask them to repeat their name they do so.. but quicker and more mumbled.. when you ask for the third time.. be prepared for the drawn out spelling of their name letter by letter accompanied by an over exaggerated rolling of the eyes, tapping foot, crossed arms and heavy breath out.

The ‘Why the f**k are you wasting my time’ people:
Usually first time voters, these people are angry you got them out of bed because they had a bender on the $2 drinks at shooters the night before. They will happily tell you about how in other countries it’s not compulsory to vote and the only reason they have turned up at all is because they don’t want to receive the fine when the AEC catches up with them.

Finally the ‘I’m so tough I write my abuse on the ballot’ people:
Just when you think you’ve received enough abuse for one lifetime you get to count all the votes. This includes the votes with the engorged cock and balls on them and random other ‘urinal art’ that is usually reserved for the truck stops on the way to the big smoke. My personal favourite was the “F**K OFF C**TS” vote that I got to count. When asked by an older member of the volunteering group what “C***T” was I had to make up a parent friendly answer to avoid everyone further embarrassment.

So buckle up.. it’s an interesting experience.

In all seriousness, the AEC people are excellent, professional and deal with a lot to ensure the day runs as smoothly as possible for everyone. If anyone here is planning on abusing people in the polling place, please reconsider.. it doesn’t really help anyone.

Also take in to consideration that in other countries people die for the right to vote so treat the process and it’s volunteers with a bit of respect.

I’ve done it a few times now and I don’t mind it at all. its a long day but the extra $$ is useful!

nanzan said :

prhhcd said :

Nazan: I haven’t been allocated a job yet. See if that happens. Although I am a bit worried because my online details were ALL wrong. Simple things like name and gender wrong. How hard can it be to transfer from paper files?
Anyway, basically you go do an online recruitment thing where you fill out an expression of interest. Link from the AEC site.

Thank you for that.

Yes, I have submitted my paper EOI too, and when the email came from the AEC I noticed that most of the information had not been transferred to the online EOI, including important information such as days available to work and desired positions. Hmm, rather strange.

I’ll let you know if I hear anything more.

yeah exactly the same thing for me. I guess we see what happens. Thanks for letting me know!

Having worked at a polling place once in the past, it is likely one of the most unforgiving soul destroying jobs you will ever do.. but I recommend you do it for the experience.

There are several great groups of people you will get to meet on your journey.

The ‘I have been saving this one up’ people:
These people line up at the door before opening, and then when the doors open they storm over and release some tirade of anti-government directed abuse they have been saving up for the last couple of years, generally about some inane policy that has affected them and you have likely never heard of.

The ‘I have filled out this form 5 times already’ people:
These are the people who have had loved ones die and they ask if they are still on the role, then when you tell them they are you cop the abuse about how they have requested the love one be removed 5+ times and nothing is ever done. When you direct them to the form to remove the loved one from the role and attempt to assist them to fill it out they storm off in a huff to make a scene in front of the increasing line of people waiting to be served.

The ‘For the 10th time, my name is *mumble mumble*’ people:
Voting is pretty simple, but apparently stating your name clearly so you can be marked off the roll is not. These people come in, usually in a rush to get to some sporting event for their offspring that they have waiting in the 4WD in the handicapped park outside… and they hastily say ‘my name is *mumble mumble*’ when you ask them to repeat their name they do so.. but quicker and more mumbled.. when you ask for the third time.. be prepared for the drawn out spelling of their name letter by letter accompanied by an over exaggerated rolling of the eyes, tapping foot, crossed arms and heavy breath out.

The ‘Why the f**k are you wasting my time’ people:
Usually first time voters, these people are angry you got them out of bed because they had a bender on the $2 drinks at shooters the night before. They will happily tell you about how in other countries it’s not compulsory to vote and the only reason they have turned up at all is because they don’t want to receive the fine when the AEC catches up with them.

Finally the ‘I’m so tough I write my abuse on the ballot’ people:
Just when you think you’ve received enough abuse for one lifetime you get to count all the votes. This includes the votes with the engorged cock and balls on them and random other ‘urinal art’ that is usually reserved for the truck stops on the way to the big smoke. My personal favourite was the “F**K OFF C**TS” vote that I got to count. When asked by an older member of the volunteering group what “C***T” was I had to make up a parent friendly answer to avoid everyone further embarrassment.

So buckle up.. it’s an interesting experience.

In all seriousness, the AEC people are excellent, professional and deal with a lot to ensure the day runs as smoothly as possible for everyone. If anyone here is planning on abusing people in the polling place, please reconsider.. it doesn’t really help anyone.

Also take in to consideration that in other countries people die for the right to vote so treat the process and it’s volunteers with a bit of respect.

prhhcd said :

Nazan: I haven’t been allocated a job yet. See if that happens. Although I am a bit worried because my online details were ALL wrong. Simple things like name and gender wrong. How hard can it be to transfer from paper files?
Anyway, basically you go do an online recruitment thing where you fill out an expression of interest. Link from the AEC site.

Thank you for that.

Yes, I have submitted my paper EOI too, and when the email came from the AEC I noticed that most of the information had not been transferred to the online EOI, including important information such as days available to work and desired positions. Hmm, rather strange.

I’ll let you know if I hear anything more.

Nazan: I haven’t been allocated a job yet. See if that happens. Although I am a bit worried because my online details were ALL wrong. Simple things like name and gender wrong. How hard can it be to transfer from paper files?
Anyway, basically you go do an online recruitment thing where you fill out an expression of interest. Link from the AEC site.

you can still put your name in the hat to run as a candidate – that should keep you busy! 😉

Specifically the AEC polling staff website is here.

Note: “Any person who is, and is seen to be, active in political affairs, and intends to publicly carry on this activity, may compromise the strict political neutrality of the AEC and cannot be considered for temporary employment.”

I’m not sure what that means but if you’re a candidate you probably shouldn’t apply.