What is SPA?
The Student PollWorker Association is a group that coordinates election workers for Travis County. We search out college and university students in the Austin area who want to work on Election Day. For more information, please visit About SPA.

Do I have to attend a certain school to participate with SPA?
SPA actively coordinates with the University of Texas at Austin, St. Edwards University, Austin Community College, Concordia University, and Hutson-Tillotson.

Where do I go to register to vote in Travis County?
You can download a registration form and mail it in, or go pick one up at one of several locations.

What if I don't know if I am registered in Travis County?
Click here to find out.

What is a precinct?
A precinct is the area in which your neighborhood is divided up for voting purposes. Each address has a certain precinct. Click here to look up your precinct.

What should I do if I am registered in a different county?
If you want to change your registration to Travis County, all you have to do is register here. By doing so, your registration from the other county becomes void.

Where is training for laptop operators held?
The 4-hour training is held at the Travis County Elections Office headquarters. The address is:

5501 Airport Boulevard
Austin, TX 78751-1410

How do I access the online training for bilingual clerks?
The website and login information will be given to you upon your contacting SPA and voicing interest in this position.

How much will I get paid?
The pay rate depends on the election. While the County "holds" most elections, primaries are "held" by the parties. Both of these sources pay differently, but often either $8.50 or $10 an hour. Receiving Substation Assistants will always be paid $10 per hour. The pay for Laptop Operators and Bilingual Clerks fluctuates based on the election. Receiving Substation Assistants are paid for the hours they work on Election Day, while Laptop Operators and Bilingual Clerks are paid both for the hours they work on Election Day and for their required training.

When will I get paid?
Checks are issues from Travis County's Elections Office approximately 3-4 weeks after the election. When filling out your timesheet, make sure the address you list is the address you would like your check mailed to.

If I'm part of a student organization, how do I get my group involved?
Simple! Contact poll.worker@mail.utexas.edu and let us know how many people are in your group. The easiest "job" for groups to perform is the Receiving Substation Assistant position because your location placement is not based on your address. Depending on when you contact us, and how large your group is, we may need to split you up into more than one location.

Do I need to bring anything with me on Election Day?
Bring your driver's license or any state-issued form of identification. Dress casually and comfortably. Bring water or snacks if you anticipate getting hungry or thirsty. You may bring something to keep you busy, although down-time completely depends on how busy your location is.

What is the time commitment?
It depends. A Receiving Substation Assistant is committed to 4 hours of work. Laptop Operators are committed to a 4-hour training that takes place before Election Day at the County's headquarters. Bilingual Clerks are committed to a 2-hour online training that takes place before Election Day that can be completed on any computer with internet access. Both Laptop Operators and Bilingual Clerks are committed to a 12 hour shift from 7am-7pm. This shift can be split into two (7am-1pm and 1pm-7pm), but only with between 2 individuals who are registered in the same precinct.

Can this go on my resume?
Absolutely! Please feel free to list this under your employment.

Can I count this as service hours?
It depends on the organization for which you need the hours. Remember, you do get paid, so it's not technically volunteering.

 

This material is based on work supported by a grant from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC). Any opinion, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the EAC.