Election Worker - Office Assistant (Extra Help, Seasonal)

Full Job Description

The San Mateo County Registration & Elections Division is seeking full-time, seasonal Election Worker – Office Assistants to assist in the upcoming June 2, 2026, Statewide Direct Primary Election. This is an excellent opportunity to be involved in the election process!

The Elections Division is an exciting, fast-paced environment, especially as elections approach. This is an excellent opportunity to work with a group of dynamic, well-organized, and highly efficient individuals committed to the democratic process. More information about the organization is available on the Elections Division website www.smcacre.gov.

We are currently seeking dedicated, enthusiastic and hard-working individuals for temporary, full-time positions to be hired into one of the following areas:

BALLOT RETRIEVAL
Requirements:

• Must have a valid CA driver’s license and be able to drive County vehicles (cargo van/SUV/car) to various San Mateo County locations accompanied by a partner throughout the day (and evenings as necessary).
• Must possess attention to detail.
• Must be able to perform ballot retrievals according to detailed procedures.
• Must be able to lift 50 lbs.

Duties may include:

• Retrieving voted ballots from Vote Centers and Ballot Drop Boxes throughout San Mateo County.
• Delivering voted ballots to San Mateo County Registration & Elections Division.
• Delivering supplies to Vote Centers.
• Will also assist with Vote by Mail processing.

VOTE BY MAIL
Requirements:

• Must be able to lift 25lbs.
• Must possess great attention to detail.

Duties may include:

• Retrieving ballots from local post office.
• Driving a County van.
• Processing Vote by Mail ballots.
• Performing repetitive work.
• Operating ballot processing equipment.
• Scanning and adjudicating ballots.

VOTE REGISTRATION/CLERICAL SUPPORT
Requirements:

• Must possess great attention to detail.
• Must have working knowledge of computer software, including Microsoft Office Suite programs like Word and Excel.
• Must be able to consistently follow complex written procedures.

Duties may include:

• Data entry and database maintenance.
• Updating voter registration records based on information from statewide voter registration database and other governmental agencies.
• Preparing, verifying, and processing provisional ballots, including a review of challenged ballots.
• Preparing, verifying, and processing petitions, including nominations, initiatives, and recall petitions and performing second-level petition verifications.

VOTER HELP DESK SUPPORT
Requirements:

• Must have working knowledge of computer software, including Microsoft Office Suite programs like Word and Excel.
• Must possess great attention to detail.
• Must be able to consistently follow complex written procedures.

Duties may include:

• Assisting election staff at Vote Centers over the phone.
• Answering questions about procedures.
• Providing limited technical support based on pre-established procedures and guidelines.
• Data entry.

OUTREACH SERVICES
Requirements:

• Must be comfortable with a public-facing role.
• Must be able to lift 25 lbs.
• Valid CA driver’s license may be required.

Duties may include:

• Demonstrating voting equipment.
• Registering voters.
• Presenting information about the upcoming election.
• Outreaching to local businesses and community-based organizations.

Fluency in Spanish, Mandarin and/or Cantonese, Tagalog/Filipino, Korean, Burmese, Hindi, Japanese, Indonesian, Vietnamese, or Thai is desired in Outreach Services but not required

SUPPLIES
Requirements:

• Must be able to lift 25 lbs.
• Must be able to follow detailed written procedures.
• Must have basic working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, including Word and Excel.

Duties may include:

• Inventorying and packing/unpacking Vote Center supplies.
• Fulfilling inventory/supply lists for multiple Vote Centers.
• Recording and updating inventory numbers regularly.
• Operating pallet jacks and other devices to safely relocate supplies.
• Accepting shipments and packages to the warehouse.

FIELD TECHS/WAREHOUSE
Requirements:

• Must have a valid CA driver’s license and be able to drive County or personal vehicles to Vote Centers to conduct daily check-ins and ensure voting equipment is functioning properly.
• Must be able to lift 25+ lbs.

Duties may include:

• Testing and verifying functionality of electronic voting equipment prior to, during, and after voting periods.
• Assisting in preparing and staging heavy equipment and supplies for delivery to Vote Centers.
• Inventorying and organizing voting equipment and Vote Center supplies.
• Assisting in delivery, connection, testing, and pickup of voting equipment at Vote Centers including delivery of spare equipment and supplies.
• Providing on-site troubleshooting and technical support for voting equipment.

The Election Worker – Office Assistant is classified as an Office Assistant I (Extra Help). The starting hourly wage for this position starts at $24.91. Overtime is expected for most positions.

This is an extra-help, at-will assignment, paid on an hourly basis. Extra-help hours are dependent on the business needs of the department and therefore work hours may vary from week to week. Extra-help employees shall not exceed 1,040 hours of work per fiscal year. Some extra help positions are eligible for benefits under the Affordable Care Act. Extra-help employees are not guaranteed permanent status at the end of the assignment.

Qualifications

Ideal Voter Registration/Clerical Support candidates will have a minimum of one year of general clerical, office assistant, phone services, or computer experience.

Critical skills for all Election Worker Office Assistant positions include the ability to prioritize work, coordinate several activities, organize and maintain accurate files and records, and understand and carry out oral and written directions.

Office hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Most positions require working overtime, including long hours, weekends, evenings, and holidays. Any authorized time worked more than 40 hours in the workweek shall be considered overtime and shall be compensable at the rate of one and one-half (1-1/2) times the overtime worked. The selected individuals must be available for the entire employment period until the completion of their assignment.

The last anticipated day of employment will be ten days after Election Day, which is June 12, 2026. Visit smcvote.gov or follow us on X @smcvote for updates on election schedules.

Additional Information

This is an extra-help recruitment. Anyone may apply. Computer access is available for free at any San Mateo County Library.

PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE ELECTIONS DIVISION OR THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT. The Elections Division will contact you by phone or email if your qualifications meet the current needs.

Because these are full-time (temporary) positions, candidates whose applications indicate they are currently employed in a full-time capacity will not be contacted. However, if you are currently employed and would like to be considered, please indicate how you could meet the required work schedule given your current employment in the supplemental questionnaire.

IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the “Apply” button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply. Responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted in addition to the standard County employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required application materials. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.

This is a continuous recruitment that may close at any time.

Apply immediately. This recruitment is open on a continuous basis, and selections may be made at any time within the process.

Notice to Applicants:
Please note that this recruitment includes one-day hiring events conducted online, featuring on-the-spot interviews. To participate, you must submit your application as instructed above. If your application passes the initial screening, a recruiter will provide you with the option to register for one of the hiring events listed below. If you pass the interview, you will be responsible for bringing a valid photo ID, social security card, and completed Live Scan form to the office and then visiting an approved Live Scan location.