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 potentially earn £200+ for one day's work.
Credit: Credit: Alexandru Nika (left), Adam Gilchrist (right)- Shutterstock
Interested in working at your local polling station on voting day?
If you have strong communication skills and a friendly, professional manner, this could be the perfect way to earn some quick cash.
All you need to do is apply via your local council. You could earn around £200 or more!
What does an election poll clerk do?
A poll clerk's job is to assist in the general running of voting day.
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.
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 apply early as positions tend to fill up quickly.
To apply to work at an election, you must meet this criteria:
- You're over 18
- You have a good level of English
- You have the right to work in the UK
- You haven't worked for a candidate standing in the election
- You're not a close relative of a candidate
- You're not a member of any political party
- You're not actively campaigning at elections.
Rates of pay vary. You can usually expect to earn around £200 as a poll clerk, but you could potentially earn more or less than that. Check with your local council to confirm how much you'll get paid.
If you're not already on the electoral roll, get registered now. Not only is this necessary for voting, but not being registered also negatively impacts your credit rating. This impacts lots of money-related things in life, like getting a mortgage.
We have a guide to checking your credit score for free with tips on improving your rating.
How to apply to become a poll clerk
Start by looking for opportunities to work at elections on your local council's website. You'll often be able to apply for roles online.
If you have any questions, it's worth contacting your local council's electoral registration office. To find the relevant contact details, you just need to enter your postcode on the Electoral Commission website.
Bear in mind that places fill up fast. If you fancy a gig working at the upcoming election, it's best to apply as soon as possible.
Looking for more interesting ways to make money? You could become a TV or film extra.
