MAYVILLE, N.Y. – Commissioners Luz E. Torres and Nacole L. Ellis of the Chautauqua County Board of Elections announce their upcoming summer training schedule, inviting new and returning poll workers.
“As we get ready for this year’s November 3, 2026 General Election, we encourage all returning poll workers to attend the mandatory trainings this year. We also would like to encourage anyone who is interested in becoming a poll worker to attend our training sessions,” starts Commissioner Nacole Ellis.
Poll workers, which consist of our friends and neighbors, play a critical role in our democracy and having an adequate number of staff at the poll site on Election Day ensures voters receive the assistance they need.
As a poll worker, you would prepare the polling site for voting, help setup the voting equipment, sign-in and process voters, demonstrate voting procedures and help close the polling place.
Anyone registered in the two major parties (Democratic or Republican) can sign-up to be a poll worker. Poll workers are paid $35.00 dollars for their training and $16 an hour while working at poll sites. Poll Workers need to attend a training session each year to continue to be eligible to work.
“This is not a volunteer position, but a paid position that would allow you to make around $250 for working a full day shift,” denotes Commissioner Luz Torres.
Training sessions will begin in the Dunkirk/Fredonia Area at BOCES LoGuidice Center, 9520 Fredonia Stockton Rd. Fredonia NY 14063. Dates and times for this location are: Tuesday, August 11 (1PM and 5:30PM), Wednesday, August 12 (1PM and 5:30PM), Thursday, August 13 (1PM and 5:30PM) and Friday, August 14 (9AM).
Training sessions will then move to the Jamestown Area at JCC Main Campus Carnahan Theatre, 241 James Ave. Jamestown, NY 14701. Dates and times for this location are: Tuesday, August 18 (1PM and 5:30PM), Wednesday, August 19 (1PM and 5:30PM), Thursday, August 20 (1PM and 5:30PM) and Saturday, August 22 (9AM).
Training sessions will finish in the Mayville Area at Carlson Community Center, 50 W. Lake Rd. Mayville, NY 14757. Dates and times for this location are: Tuesday, August 25 (1PM and 5:30PM), Wednesday, August 26 (1PM and 5:30PM), Thursday, August 27 (9AM).
Each new trainee is asked to bring their Driver’s License, Social Security Card and voided check so the Board of Elections can issue a direct deposit payment. Current workers who have changed their address or banking information will need to bring the same documentation to training to ensure payment.
No reservations are needed for any session, so please pick a date and time that fits your schedule, only one session should be attended each year.
Those with questions are urged to please contact the Chautauqua County Board of Elections Office at (716) 753-4580 and/or visit votechautauqua.com.
