Information for election staff

On Thursday 7 May 2026, elections will be held in Cambridge to elect councillors to 14 of the 42 seats on Cambridge City Council.

We are recruiting for the following roles in the Cambridge city area. Read the job descriptions below for more details.

Job descriptions and dates

Before the poll

Postal vote opening sessions that take place before polling day will take place at the council offices in Mandela House on the following dates:

  • Tuesday 28 April
  • Wednesday 29 April
  • Friday 1 May
  • Wednesday 6 May

For these first four sessions, you should make yourself available from 9.45am to 5pm on each day you are working (except polling day – see below). The length of the day will depend on how many postal votes have been returned that day. You may only be required for the morning session if only a small number of postal votes have been returned.

On polling day itself, Thursday 7 May, the fifth and final opening session takes place at the count venue (Cambridge University Sports Centre) and starts at 6pm. You should be present from 5.45pm and expect to finish at about midnight, or later.

At the polling station

  • Presiding Officer [PDF, 0.2MB]
    This role pays £353.22, equivalent to £18.54 per hour, and includes a statutory holiday payment. You will also receive a £40 training fee, plus £0.45 mileage where appropriate.
  • Poll Clerk [PDF, 0.1MB]
    This role pays £258.57, equivalent to £14.42 per hour, and includes a statutory holiday payment. You will also receive a £20 training fee.

On polling day, Thursday 7 May, polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm. As a member of the polling team, you will be expected to arrive by 6.30am to help set up the station and only leave when all voters have voted, and the station is cleared away.

All polling staff must undertake training before they can work at a polling station, regardless of experience. This will be either in-person, online training, or virtual briefing sessions, depending on your experience and which role you undertake.

At the count

For the May 2026 elections, a small number of staff are required for the session taking place overnight on Thursday, with most count staff required for the following day.

It is difficult to say exactly when any session will finish, as recounts may need to take place if the result is close. Session one, verification, takes place immediately after polls close at 10pm on Thursday 7 May and you should be prepared to work past midnight and potentially into the early hours of the morning. Session two will take place on Friday 8 May from 10am, and you should make yourself available all day.

Staff will be allocated to a team and advised of their expected arrival time in the appointment letter.

Both the verification and count take place at the Cambridge University Sports Centre.

Rules for employment at the election

Please take a moment to read the following information about working on an election.

  • Eligibility: The Returning Officer can employ anyone to work on an election and most roles require no previous experience.
  • Permission from your line manager: If you are a Cambridge City Council employee or work in one of the shared-service areas (with Huntingdonshire DC or South Cambridgeshire DC), it is your responsibility to obtain your line manager’s permission to work in a role that takes place during your normal contracted hours. You should not be asked to take leave or use flexi hours to work on the election.
  • Pre-employment checks: All new election staff must complete a right-to-work check and provide a reference. You will also need to provide your bank details for payment.
  • Criminal convictions: You must declare any unspent convictions. Convictions related to electoral offences or other serious offences (such as fraud, dishonesty or violence) may result in your offer of work being withdrawn. Please contact the elections team if you wish to discuss this confidentially.
  • Political neutrality: When you accept your appointment, you cannot be employed by, or act on behalf of, any political party or candidate at the election. This includes displaying or delivering election material or undertaking any activity that could be seen as biased.
  • Sick leave: We cannot employ you if you are currently on sick leave from your normal employment.
  • Health and safety: Please report any health conditions or accessibility needs so that reasonable adjustments can be made.
  • Maternity leave: If you will be on maternity leave on any of the dates you are appointed to work, working on the election may affect your statutory maternity payment. Please speak to your employer’s HR team or payroll team, so that you understand the implications before you decide to work for us.
  • Pregnancy notification: If you become pregnant, please let us know as soon as possible. This allows us to conduct a risk assessment to ensure your working environment is safe for you and your baby. Any information you share will be kept confidential and used only to ensure your health and safety.
  • Religious observance: We respect the need for breaks for religious observance and will do our best to accommodate these requirements across all election roles. If you anticipate needing time for prayer or other religious practices during your role, please inform the elections team as early as possible. This helps us plan staffing and ensure the smooth running of the election while supporting your needs.
  • Social media guidance: Appointed staff should exercise caution when using social media. It is essential that you remain politically neutral and avoid posting content that could be perceived as biased. This helps maintain public confidence that your personal views do not compromise your role in the election.
  • Secrecy requirements: You must agree to abide by the secrecy requirement. A copy is linked within the job description and will be provided with your appointment. Please make time to read it carefully.
  • Training requirements: Staff working in polling stations are required to undertake mandatory training before working on the poll. Staff working in supervisory roles for postal vote opening or at the count will be offered relevant training. Details of all training will be advised in your appointment.

Payments

  • Confirmation of fees: Your fee for working on the election will be confirmed in your appointment letter along with the date payment will be made.
  • Payslips: In accordance with the council’s green policy, paper payslips will only be issued on request. If you would like a pay slip, please ask for one when you have received payment.
  • Income tax: Basic rate tax will be applied to all election payments unless HMRC inform us otherwise. Any enquiries about income tax, including reclaiming, should be directed to HMRC.
  • National Insurance: Payments for election work are not subject to National Insurance contributions.
  • Holiday pay: Your payment will include an additional amount called ‘holiday pay.’ This is paid in lieu of leave, as it is not practical for you to take time off for the small number of hours you are working. This will be shown separately on your payslip and calculated on the number of hours you have worked.
  • Pension: As an employee of the Returning Officer, you have the right to request to join a pension scheme (separate from any you already belong to with your normal employer). Election staff do not usually earn enough to be automatically enrolled and depending on your earnings the Returning Officer may not make any contributions. Please ask the elections team if you would like more details.

Specific information for polling station staff

  • Mileage claims: Presiding Officers may claim mileage for using their vehicle to transport polling equipment. It is your responsibility to ensure you have appropriate business insurance in place. Mileage claims must be submitted in line with the instructions provided and should reflect the actual distance travelled for election duties.
  • Breaks during the poll: To maintain the integrity of the poll, you must remain at the polling station for the entire duration of voting. All breaks must be taken on site, so please ensure you have enough food and drink with you to last for the whole day. If you leave the station for personal reasons, you will not be permitted to return, and your employment will end at that point. Your payment will then be adjusted to reflect the hours you worked.
  • Tips for a long day:
    • Bring plenty of water and snacks or meals that can be eaten easily on site.
    • Wear comfortable clothing and shoes suitable for standing and moving around – dress for a professional environment. Smart casual is recommended. Avoid slogan T-shirts, or anything that could be considered political or offensive. Bring extra clothing layers as it can get cold towards the end of the day.
    • Consider bringing a cushion or something to make seating more comfortable.
    • Pack any personal items you may need, such as medication, glasses, or chargers.
    • You can bring things to do if the station is empty, such as books, headphones and so on, but must put these aside as soon as an elector enters the room.
    • Know where you are going – plan ahead for travel and whether parking is available, to avoid stress on the day.
  • Don’t forget to vote: If you are not working at the polling station you would normally vote at, you can apply for a postal vote or apply for a proxy vote online. Do this as soon as you can and check the deadlines on our website.

Page last reviewed: 28 January 2026

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