Pennington County Poll Worker Information

Pennington County Courthouse
315 St. Joseph Street, Suite 107
Rapid City, SD 57701
Phone 605-394-2153
Fax 605-394-6840

Adobe Reader is needed to view
some documents and forms.
Click on the image below to
download Adobe Reader for free.&

Poll Workers

More than 250 citizens in Pennington County serve as poll workers for the Auditor’s Office to ensure that fair and accurate elections are conducted. On Election Day, we count on these civic-minded individuals to efficiently process voters, provide instructions on the proper use of the voting equipment, and effectively solve potential problems that voters may encounter.

Frequently Asked Questions

What our poll workers say about working at the Polls:

"It is a great experience; a lot of fun, and you get to meet new people."

"It's a good opportunity to work with your neighbors to assure the electoral process works; that every voter is welcomed and well-treated at the polls... and that every vote counts."

"It's a day to serve your country. It's a day to visit with neighbors. It's a day to feel proud to be an American."

Requirements for poll workers in Pennington County:

Must be a registered voter in Pennington County, or eligible to register

Must be able to read and write the English language

Must be able to work a long, 14+ hour day (May not leave and return to the polling location)

Must be able to lift 70 lbs

Must attend mandatory training before the General Election

Must be present on Election Day from 6 a.m. until all work is complete after the closing of the polls at 7 p.m. - all workers leave together

Must be willing to deal with the public in a courteous, efficient and patient manner

Poll worker and support staff positions:

Precinct Superintendent - responsible for the overall management of the activities and workers in the polling place. Ensures order is maintained and the Election Board performs its duties correctly on Election Day. Precinct Superintendents also contact workers to schedule work and training, pick up election supplies at Election School prior to each election, communicates with the Auditor’s Office to resolve questions pertaining to a voter's eligibility to vote, and returns election supplies to the Auditor’s Office on election night with another poll worker.

Precinct Deputy – Registration Book Official – responsible for properly processing voters, looks up voter registration in Registration Book; processes the appropriate forms to update the record of an eligible voter; verifies voter ID and/or personal ID affidavit; records voter’s number from Poll Book in the Registration Book, helps setting up and breaking down the polling room.

Precinct Deputy – Poll Book Official - responsible for properly processing voters, assists Registration Book Official with appropriate forms to update the record of an eligible voter; either write voter’s name or assists voter in writing their own name in the Poll Book; gives that number to the Registration Book Official, helps setting up and breaking down the polling room.

Precinct Deputy - Ballot Box Official – issues correct ballot to the voter, responsible for the proper operation of the voting machine, and supervising the ballot box at all times. Also assists in setting up and breaking down the polling room. In some precincts, this official is also the Precinct Superintendent.

Precinct Deputy – Voter Assist Terminal – assists voters who vote on the AutoMark voting machine which provides privacy and accessibility to voters who are blind, vision-impaired, or have a disability or condition that would make it difficult or impossible to mark a ballot in the usual way.

Alternates - additional poll workers who are hired and trained for the specific purpose of being ready to work on an as-needed basis. Alternates do not report to a polling place until contacted by the Auditor’s Office and remain available to report to a polling location until 9 a.m. on election day.

Precinct Runners - roving workers to provide a variety of assistance throughout the day. Runners troubleshoot equipment problems, and provide needed supplies. Runners are Auditor’s Office staff.

Absentee Precinct Deputy – responsible for properly processing absentee ballots, verifying signatures and resolving questions as to a voter’s identity, transports ballots to counting center, sets up and breaks down the Absentee Precinct. Must also be available as an Alternate and may be sent to a Precinct in need of help on Election Day.

On Election Day, Election Board officials and members of the Auditor’s office staff work as a team to ensure the integrity of the Election process and to guarantee the voting rights of all qualified voters in Pennington County.

Is it a paid position?

Yes. Poll workers are paid for training plus a flat rate for the day. Total pay ranges from $110-$126 per election, depending on the position held.

What are the duties?

Report to your polling place by 6:00 a.m. on Election Day

Assist in preparing the precinct for voting

Greet voters warmly and process them for voting

Demonstrate our voting procedure to the voter, including the new Voter Assist Terminal

Process ballots, forms and other election requirements with accuracy

Assist with closing the polls and preparation of returning voted ballots to the Auditor’s Office for counting

is poll worker training required?

Yes, all Poll Workers are required to attend a 1-2 hour Election School and any special training sessions.

Is there a test?

Not at this time. However, in the future, it may be required that Poll Workers must pass a quiz which measures their understanding of the duties of the position they have been trained to fill on Election Day.

How will I know where I will work?

While we try to assign workers to their preferred precinct, poll workers must be willing to work in nearby precincts if needed.

If I do not work in my home precinct, how do I vote?

Poll Workers working outside of their home precinct should vote early at the Auditor’s Office, or request an Absentee Ballot and return the voted Absentee Ballot to our office before Election Day.

Training Sessions:

Scheduled training sessions are held the week before the election. You will be contacted and informed as to the session you will attend. Precincts will attend training together. You will be paid for completing training, but will not be eligible for training pay or be eligible to work if you do not attend the required training.

If you would like to become a poll worker:

E-mail us or call 394-2152 extension 15.

Who is eligible to work as a Poll Worker?

In order to be a Poll Worker you must:

Be a registered Voter in Pennington County

Be available to attend the required Poll Worker training classes

Be available to work a minimum of 14 hours on Election Day

Perform written, verbal, and physical duties as assigned at the polls

Be able to lift at least 15 lbs

Be willing to deal with the public in an efficient, courteous and patient manner

Links with an asterisk * are to information on the SD Secretary of State's website.