Frequently Asked Questions
Workers/Working
Q. How do I apply for election employment?
A. The Returning Officer for each region is responsible for hiring all workers needed during an election for their district. Generally workers must be qualified to vote, but 16 and 17 year olds can work at some election jobs with their school’s permission.
An election officer cannot be a close relative (spouse, parent, child, or brother or sister) of any candidate or candidate’s spouse.
The majority of poll workers are hired directly by Elections NB. If you wish to work during the election, apply
online or contact your local returning office directly once the election begins.
Q. Can I work for the election if I am a relative of a candidate?
A. No person who is a family associate (spouse, parent, child, or brother or sister) of any candidate or candidate’s spouse may be appointed, act or continue to act as an election officer in any municipality in which that candidate may be elected.
You may however, be able to work in a different part of the region.
Q. Do I get paid to go to training?
A. Yes. The fees paid to election officers are set out in regulations under the Elections Act and the Municipal Elections Act. Election officer rates of pay are now automatically adjusted as the provincial minimum wage is increased.
Current rates are posted
here.
Q. How many hours will I have to work at the polling station?
A. Normally an official at a polling station will be required to arrive at 9:00 am to set up the location. Voting continues throughout the day until the polls close at 8:00 pm. Next, the location must be torn down. Election officials are usually released at 9:00 pm.
Q. How much do we get paid to work at a polling station?
A. The fees paid to election officers are set out in regulations under the Elections Act and the Municipal Elections Act. Election officer rates of pay are now automatically adjusted as the provincial minimum wage is increased.
Current rates are posted
here.
Q. Do I get a T4 slip for working?
A. No. The pay you receive as an election official at a polling station must be declared as income for income tax purposes, but the time is classified as uninsurable hours.
Q. Do I have to claim the pay I receive for working at a polling station?
I am on EI
I am on social assistance
I am receiving a pension
A. Yes. You do have to claim the income you receive on your tax return. Contact your case worker for more details.
Q. How long before we get our cheques for working during the Election?
A. If we have all the required information, you should get a cheque in 3 to 6 weeks after election day.
Q. I want to lodge a complaint against an election worker.
A. Advise your Returning Officer by phone.
If you are not satisfied with the response, give your complaint in writing to the Returning Office and send a copy to Elections NB.