Election Worker - Office Assistant (Extra Help, Seasonal)

About the role

The San Mateo County Registration & Elections Division is seeking full-time, seasonal Election Worker – Office Assistants to assist in the upcoming November 3, 2026, Statewide General Election. This is an excellent opportunity to be involved in the election process!

Responsibilities

• BALLOT RETRIEVAL: Must have a valid CA driver’s license and be able to drive County vehicles 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.
• VOTE BY MAIL: Must be able to lift 25 lbs. Must possess great attention to detail. Duties may include: Retrieving ballots from local post office, Driving a County van, Processing Vote by Mail ballots, Operating ballot processing equipment, Scanning and adjudicating ballots.
• VOTER REGISTRATION/CLERICAL SUPPORT: 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, Preparing, verifying, and processing provisional ballots, Performing second-level petition verifications, and Data entry.
• VOTER HELPDESK SUPPORT: 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, and Data entry.
• SUPPLIES: 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: 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 up to 50 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.

Qualifications

• IDEAL CANDIDATES: 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.

Benefits

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 November 13, 2026.

Pay

The starting hourly wage for this position starts at $24.91. Overtime is expected for most positions.

Schedule

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.