A supervisor for elections ensures that political elections are held in accordance with local, regional, and national laws and regulations. She should have prior experience supervising the activities of clerks, supervisors, and election workers hired to assist with voting procedures on election day. To plan and implement setting up booths, tables, and voting equipment prior to the election, it is desirable to have a good rapport with contacts at polling places.
The elections supervisor is frequently the point of contact for vendors and contractors who supply voting machines and other polling site equipment. Prior to, during, and after the election, she must maintain open lines of communication with them. Any official equipment used during the voting process that needs to be replaced or repaired requires her formal approval.
Because an elections supervisor is a leadership position, prior training and education of administrative and support staff is preferred. Administrative skills in public and community relations, as well as experience with personal computer applications and project coordination, are sometimes preferred. If questions about last-minute campaigning guidelines arise, having a background in conflict resolution will come in handy.
The election supervisor is usually in charge of compiling and approving the final content of polling station signage and flyers. Directional posters to restrooms and handicapped access points are examples. Restrictive signs, such as those prohibiting smoking or food inside polling places or informing voters of restricted parking areas, may also be included.
The election supervisor is usually in charge of web site design and maintenance as well. She may outsource the design work, but she may be expected to approve the graphics, write the copy, edit it for clarity and accuracy, and ensure that the Web site is updated with new or revised information on a regular basis. She must monitor the site on a regular basis after it is launched and report any errors in links or content to the webmaster.
In general, an elections supervisor must stay current on the latest voting equipment as well as any changes in voting policies and procedures. This includes understanding of automated and manual voting systems, as well as processing spoiled or invalid ballots and troubleshooting voting systems. The elections supervisor should know how to set up and break down polling locations, as well as how to deliver poll results to information drop-off centers. It’s also crucial to follow procedures when handling ballots and voting records if you want to be a successful elections supervisor.