High School Student Election Worker Program

Program History

In 1993 the Nevada State Legislature added to election law to allow high school students to serve as election workers on Election Day. This special program gives students hands-on experience with the voting process. Join other high school students throughout Washoe County as they discover firsthand how the American electoral process works. You’ll have an opportunity to make a difference even before you can cast your vote!

Qualifications to Participate as a Student Election Worker

You must be a United States citizen and resident of Washoe County
Be at least 16 years of age by the time of training
Be a current high school student
Be a student in good academic standing
Have permission of your parent or guardian and school (to attend training) - CLICK HERE for the student election worker permission form

Benefits

You will receive $175 for working on Election Day and $25 for attending the mandatory training and $25 for assisting with "Election Eve" pre-setup.
You will receive a personalized certificate of thanks from the Registrar of Voters
Some schools offer class credit for volunteering on Election Day, especially if you are in a government or political science class (check with your school administrator or teachers)
Some schools also offer credit or hours for volunteering on Election Day to fulfill a community service requirement for graduation (check with your school administrator or teacher)

Duties

Assist with election eve set-up, set-up on Election Day and break-down at the end of the night
Greet and direct voters
Check-in voters at the “Intake Station”
Direct Voters to sign the roster book and activate voter cards for them
Assist with closing the Vote Center at the end of the Election Day, with the assistance of your fellow election workers

Hours of Service

Vote Centers are open from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Election workers must arrive at 5:30 a.m.
The assignment typically concludes at 9 p.m.

Application Procedure

Sign up using our election worker application form, CLICK HERE
You will need to obtain your parents’ and school’s permission (to attending training if on a school day)

Interested in becoming a volunteer election worker? CLICK HERE to apply.

vote check mark

NRS 293.2175 Appointment of pupil as trainee: Qualifications; requirements; duties; compensation.

1. The county clerk may appoint a pupil as a trainee for the position of election board officer. To qualify for such an appointment, the pupil must be:

(a) A United States citizen, a resident of Nevada and a resident of the county in which the pupil serves;

(b) Enrolled in high school; and

2. The county clerk may only appoint a pupil as a trainee if:

(a) The pupil is appointed without party affiliation;

(b) The county clerk sends the pupil a certificate stating the date and hours that the pupil will act as a trainee;

(c) At least 20 days before the election in which the pupil will act as a trainee, the principal of the high school or the pupil’s assigned school counselor receives the county clerk’s certificate and a written request signed by the pupil’s parent or guardian to be excused from school for the time specified in the certificate;

(d) The principal of the high school or the assigned school counselor of the pupil approves the pupil’s request; and

(e) The pupil attends the training class required by NRS 293B.260.

3. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the county clerk may assign a trainee such duties as the county clerk deems appropriate. The county clerk shall not require the trainee to perform those duties later than 10 p.m. or any applicable curfew, whichever is earlier.

4. The county clerk may compensate a trainee for service at the same rate fixed for election board officers generally.