Helping Out with the Elections

Sign In

You can no longer sign up to be a member or chair of a polling station. The municipality has received enough applications.

Member Portal

We use the Member Portal to register polling station staff. In this system, you can indicate your availability and reserve spots. You can also take digital training courses and read instructions there. It’s convenient for you and keeps things organized for us.

What is a polling station?

A polling station consists of four members, including one chairperson. In addition, alternate members may be appointed, for example, to count the votes. There is no limit on the number of alternate members. 

The members and alternate members of the polling station are officially appointed by the municipal executive of the municipality.

Roles at the polling place

Chairperson

The chairperson is responsible for ensuring that election day proceeds smoothly and orderly at the polling station:

  • Opening and Closing the Polling Place
  • Check that the ballot box is empty and is properly sealed
  • Leading the Team
  • Ensuring the Proper Identification of Voters
  • Recording Details in the Official Report
  • Responding to Incidents or Irregularities
  • Transfer of the ballot box and official report to the municipality

Poll worker

As a polling station official, you will work with the team to ensure that voting proceeds smoothly:

  • Helping to set up the polling place
  • Verifying voter registration cards, proxy forms, and identification documents
  • Distribution of ballots
  • Speak to voters in a friendly manner
  • Report any details to the chairperson
  • Helping to close the polling station
  • Assisting with the police report and cleaning up materials

Hostess/Host

The host or hostess is the first point of contact for voters. Not all polling stations make use of this role:

  • Welcoming Voters
  • Explain the walking route and voting procedure
  • Ensuring a smooth flow
  • Providing additional support to older adults and people with disabilities
  • Report any details to the chairperson

Counter

After the polling station closes, the votes are counted by poll workers:

  • Sorting Ballots by Party
  • Verify that the numbers match

Times

During the elections, we work in two teams:

  • The morning shift from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
  • The afternoon shift from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Vote counting begins at 9:00 p.m.

Both teams will come together to count the votes. The exact time when the counting will end is not known in advance and depends on the number of ballots.

Reimbursement

Volunteers will receive compensation after the elections:

Chairperson€ 150
Poll worker€ 110
Hostess/Host€ 110
Counter€ 50
Meal Allowance€ 20

The reimbursements will be paid as soon as possible after the elections.