Elections Worker (On-Call)

Multnomah County•Portland, OR

1d•$20 - $20•Onsite

About The Position

This Work Matters! Do you wonder what goes on behind the scenes at the county elections office? Do you want to be a part of Election Day and make a difference for thousands of county voters? Multnomah County is looking for exceptional employees to expand our pool of temporary on-call Elections Workers. We are hiring to fill positions in every area of conducting elections. Multnomah County Elections Division conducts all local, city, county, state and federal elections for Multnomah County. Our mission is to uphold a reputation for transparent, accurate, accessible and accountable elections. The Elections Division takes an equity-focused approach to remove barriers to voter access and ensure every voice has the opportunity to be heard. We are fortunate to have dedicated Elections Workers who have served for years and who come back election after election, but we need additional workers to add to our pool of on-call employees. Here are just some of the reasons to become a Multnomah County On-Call Elections Worker: You'll play a vital role in the democratic process. You'll get involved and assist voters in a nonpartisan and unbiased way. You'll have the opportunity to participate in the electoral process on the other side of the ballot. You'll be part of the nationally recognized, exceptional work of the Multnomah County Elections Division team. You'll work right alongside dedicated elections staff members who share a passion for the elections process. You are fluent in another language, and want to help serve voters that are non-English speaking. You'll meet new people. You'll earn extra money. And, it's a great opportunity to help people, serve your community, and have fun doing it! Watch our video about Multnomah County Elections to learn more. The roles and responsibilities of On-Call Elections Workers vary and are stated below in detail. These positions will perform a variety of duties necessary to support the administration of the General, Primary and Special Elections in Multnomah County. Specific job duties will vary based on the needs of the Elections Division. Training is provided to perform assigned work. On-Call Elections Worker Position Descriptions: The following positions are available for an Elections Worker to be assigned to. Please read each position’s description to understand the responsibilities and duties of the position. 1. Election Board position: You will open and prepare ballots to be counted. The work is not physically demanding, but is fast-paced, repetitive, and requires attention to detail. Approximate length of employment is 6 - 7 days. Election Day work schedule is generally mid afternoon and will extend past midnight. Physical requirements include good manual dexterity, the ability to perform repetitive motions, the ability to sit for long periods, and the ability to inspect and face ballots at close range. 2. OPEX Operators Members in this team will operate a high speed letter opener to retrieve ballots from envelopes submitted by voters. You will be responsible for tracking and recording your work on datasheets in addition to performing ballot retrieval duties, which can be repetitive and mid-to fast-paced. Attention to detail is therefore important. Approximate length of employment is 8 days. We will be scheduling training on how to operate the OPEX as well as on how to track work on datasheets. Shifts are eight hours, and a typical work day begins at 7:30 AM and ends by 4:00 PM. Election Day hours extend past midnight, so start time is typically in the late afternoon. The OPEX team works approximately eight days per election. 3. Data Entry position: You will assist with data entry of Voter Registration Cards and verify signatures on ballots and petitions. This position requires computer experience and data entry skills. Length of employment may be 2 - 7 weeks depending on work volume and may require overtime. Election Day work schedule involves late hours generally past midnight. Physical requirements include good manual dexterity, the ability to perform repetitive motions, the ability to sit for long periods, and good near vision. 4. Customer Service position: You will assist in helping customers at the front counter and answering phones. Some customer service experience is helpful. Length of employment may be 1 - 3 weeks depending on work volume. Election Day work schedule may extend to approximately 9:00 pm. Physical requirements include the ability to stand or sit for long periods, the ability to speak effectively, good hearing, and good near and mid-range vision. If you are interested in this position and are fluent in one or more of our supported languages (English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Russian, Ukrainian, or Somali) please make sure to include your language(s) in your application and choose this position when applying. 5. Runner position: Bi-partisan teams of employees will deliver ballots to the Elections Office from 30 official ballot drop sites located throughout the county. Requires some lifting and a valid driver's license. Multnomah County will provide the vehicles. Approximate length of employment is 3 - 4 days, including one Saturday. Election Day work schedule may extend to 10:00 pm. Physical requirements include the ability to lift and carry moderate weight (15-30 pounds), the ability to pull, push, reach, bend, kneel, and crouch, good manual dexterity, good hearing, the ability to operate motorized equipment, the ability to stand or sit for long periods, and the ability to perform repetitive motions. 6. Ballot Counting position: You will operate ballot tally equipment and/or various ballot processing functions. Approximate length of employment is 1 - 5 days. May involve working a night shift and weekends. Physical requirements include the ability to lift and carry moderate weight (15-30 pounds), good manual dexterity, the ability to stand for long periods, and the ability to perform repetitive motions. 7. Sorter Assistant position: You will assist in the Elections Office with running the high speed sorter, moving trays of ballots between sorter and storage carts, alphabetizing challenged ballots by last name, facing ballots as they come into the building, and other duties as assigned. Approximate length of employment is 5 - 7 days. Election Day schedules can involve late hours generally past midnight. Physical requirements include the ability to lift and carry moderate weight (15-45 pounds), good manual dexterity, good hearing, the ability to stand and walk for long periods, and the ability to perform repetitive motions. 8. Voter Assistance Team (VAT) position: You will provide assistance to voters at the Elections Office or in the voter's residence. Generally, these voters are elderly, have some type of disability, or have difficulty with the English language. Approximate length of employment is 2 - 3 weeks and will begin as early as three weeks prior to Election Day. Physical requirements include the ability to lift and carry moderate weight (15-45 pounds), the ability to stand and sit when performing work duties, the ability to operate motorized equipment, good manual dexterity, good hearing, and the ability to speak effectively. 9. Observer Monitoring position: You will monitor observers of the election process. Length of employment may be 1 to 2 weeks depending on observation requests, and may require overtime. Election Day work schedules may involve late hours past midnight. Physical requirements include the ability to stand or sit for long periods, the ability to speak effectively, and good near and mid-range vision. 11. Ballot Adjudication position: As part of a team with another employee, you will review ballot images on a computer screen and make decisions on how to count votes that are not clearly marked. Length of employment may be 1-3 weeks. Required skills include the ability to work well in a two person team, consistently follow rules, efficiently use a mouse and keyboard to navigate and enter information into a computer, remain focused while performing a repetitive task and pay attention to detail. Also you must be able to sit for a long period while performing this job.

Requirements

Must be available to work during the time frames of May 13 - 21, 2026 and Oct. 28 - Nov. 5, 2026 - some jobs require additional availability.
Must be 18 years of age or older

Nice To Haves

Previous customer service or general office/clerical experience.
Completion of the twelfth grade or equivalent.

Responsibilities

Election Board position: open and prepare ballots to be counted
OPEX Operators: operate a high speed letter opener to retrieve ballots from envelopes submitted by voters; track and record your work on datasheets in addition to performing ballot retrieval duties
Data Entry position: assist with data entry of Voter Registration Cards and verify signatures on ballots and petitions
Customer Service position: assist in helping customers at the front counter and answering phones
Runner position: deliver ballots to the Elections Office from 30 official ballot drop sites located throughout the county
Ballot Counting position: operate ballot tally equipment and/or various ballot processing functions
Sorter Assistant position: assist in the Elections Office with running the high speed sorter, moving trays of ballots between sorter and storage carts, alphabetizing challenged ballots by last name, facing ballots as they come into the building, and other duties as assigned
Voter Assistance Team (VAT) position: provide assistance to voters at the Elections Office or in the voter's residence
Observer Monitoring position: monitor observers of the election process
Ballot Adjudication position: review ballot images on a computer screen and make decisions on how to count votes that are not clearly marked