High Schoolers Can Be Election Poll Workers For First Time

High school juniors and seniors can now sign up to be poll workers in West Virginia elections.  

House Bill 4865, passed earlier this year by the West Virginia Legislature, made that change official. There are currently 46 states, including West Virginia, that allow students to participate.  

Aug. 11 is National Poll Worker Recruitment Day, and the West Virginia Secretary of State’s office is joining the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to sign up more young people to work the polls.  

“If you have any doubt about how our elections are run, there is no better way to satisfy those concerns than by serving as a poll worker,” Secretary of State Kris Warner said. “And for parents who already dedicate their time to concession stands and other fundraisers, it’s also a great opportunity to earn extra income for your youth league, mission trip or favorite charity.”  

West Virginia has more than 1,600 voting precincts that require more than 8,400 trained poll workers on Election Day. 

The requirements to be a poll worker include being a registered voter in your county, the ability to read and write in the English language and attend poll worker training. 

High school students have additional requirements:  

• Meet the existing eligibility requirements other than the voter registration requirement. 

• Be a junior or senior in good standing. 

• Maintain at least a 3.0 GPA (for public or private school students). 

• Obtain written consent from a parent or legal guardian. 

• Obtain written approval from the school principal if service occurs on a school day. 

• Successfully complete the statutory election official training program. 

Poll workers are paid for both attending a training class and working the polls. Duties can include delivering election supplies to polling places, setting up voting rooms, verifying voter identities and registrations, greeting voters, issuing ballots and securing the materials after polls close. 

The 2026 general election is Nov. 3.  

To learn more or to sign up to be a poll worker, visit GoVoteWV.