Frequently Asked Questions
Workers/Working
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 electoral district in which that candidate may be elected.
You may however, be able to work in a different electoral district.
Q. Do I get paid to go to training?
A. Yes. $17.75 per hour as a
Constable,
Voter List Officer,
Poll Revision Officer,
Ballot Issuing Officer, or
Tabulation Machine Operator.
$22.75 per hour as a Poll Supervisor.
Q. How do I apply for election employment?
A. The returning officer for each electoral district 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. An election officer cannot be a close relative (spouse, parent, child, or brother or sister) of any candidate or candidate’s spouse.
Returning officers get the names for potential workers from lists provided by the government party and opposition party in the province. They must ensure there is an equal balance of party representation in the polling stations.
If you wish to work during the election, call the office of the party of your choice to be put on their list. Or, after the election is called you can contact the returning offices directly and indicate your willingness to work.
Q. How much do we get paid to work at a polling station?
A. $17.75 per hour as a
Constable,
Voter List Officer,
Poll Revision Officer,
Ballot Issuing Officer,
Ballot Counting Officer, or
Tabulation Machine Operator.
$22.75 per hour as a Poll Supervisor.
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 get paid for lunch?
A. No. You will be paid a flat rate per day and cannot leave the polling station during the day.
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.