Job descriptions

Short description of position

As poll clerk, you are responsible for confirming the registration of electors on the list of electors. You annotate the list of electors, complete the poll register and make the necessary entries. You identify and complete the forms and envelopes. You work in collaboration with the deputy returning officer, with whom you apply the directives. As needed, you refer to the officer in charge of information and order (the PRIMO).

Your main responsibilities

• Consult and apply the guidelines for each operation
• Obtain the necessary materials and make an inventory of it Prepare your polling station
• Complete the identification of all forms and envelopes
• Complete the identification of the poll register and make all entries relating to the vote
• Verify the identity of electors who do not have one of these pieces of identity in their possession
• Receive voters one at a time and identify them on the list of electors by their address
• Meticulously annotate the list of electors and document the participation of electors on the forms provided
• Make a periodic reconciliation to ensure the accuracy of the information compiled
• When the polls close, complete the relevant pages of the poll register and prepare the material for the count. Wait for the PRIMO’s signal to begin the count
• Assist in counting the votes for each candidate by carefully completing the tally sheet(s)
• When the deputy returning officer has duly completed the Statement of votes, sign it
• Apply the closing guidelines so that forms, envelopes, ballot boxes and other materials are properly filed. Hand over all materials to the PRIMO

Your skills and abilities

• Ability to communicate with the public
• Demonstrated tact and courtesy
• Demonstrated good judgment
• Ability to work effectively in a team
• Ability to read and understand information and instructions
• Experience in the electoral field is an asset

Special requirements

• Be age 15 or over
• Have a social insurance number
• Successfully complete the Élections Montréal online training

Short description of position

As a deputy returning officer, you ensure the smooth operation of the voting process. You are the person responsible for admitting electors to vote. At the end of the voting period, you count the ballots. You interact directly with electors. You work in collaboration with the poll clerk, with whom you apply the directives. As needed, you refer to the officer in charge of information and order (the PRIMO).

Your main responsibilities

• Consult and follow the instructions for each operation
• Obtain the necessary materials and prepare your polling station
• Verify the ballots (quality, quantity, accuracy)
• Greet the representative(s) and check their proxies
• Welcome electors one at a time. Verify one of the requested pieces of identity
• Verify the identity of electors who do not have one of these pieces of identity in their possession
• Provide tools and measures to assist electors
• Give the ballot paper to the elector after having initialed it when the poll clerk has confirmed the entry on the list of electors Explain to the elector how to vote
• When the elector has voted, verify that the ballot returned is genuine and carries your initials
• Invite the elector to detach the stub of the ballot and deposit it in the ballot box
• Reconcile the ballots according to the instructions and the schedule indicated in the guidelines
• Swear in the elector or the accompanying person as required
• Count the votes. Decide the validity or invalidity of ballots
• Count the valid ballots for each candidate and the rejected ballots
• Complete the Statement of votes form accurately
• See that forms, envelopes, ballot boxes and other materials are properly filed. Hand over all the material to the person in charge

Your skills and abilities

• Ability to communicate with the public
• Demonstrated tact and courtesy
• Demonstrated good judgment
• Ability to work effectively in a team
• Ability to read and understand information and apply instructions
• Experience in the electoral field is an asset

Special requirements

• Be age 15 or over
• Have a social insurance number
• Successfully complete the Élections Montréal online training

Short description of position

As assistant to the officer in charge of information and order (the Aide-PRIMO), you help the PRIMO make sure the vote takes place in compliance with the returning officer’s instructions and the Act.  During voting hours, you greet voters and direct them to their polling stations. You ensure that only authorized persons are present and inform the PRIMO of any anomaly. At the request of your supervisor, you intervene with poll workers and other officials. Depending on the division of tasks, you might also act as chairperson of the identity verification panel.

Your main responsibilities

• Prepare the polling place for voting
• Greet electors and candidates’ representatives and direct them to the correct polling station
• Inform voters of the documents they need for identification
• Rapidly locate information on forms and reference documents in order to properly direct voters
• Facilitate traffic in the polling place and ensure full access
• Control access to the polling place before and after voting hours
• Gather and furnish any information to/from staff at the PRIMO’s request
• Participate in handling election materials at the polling place
• At the close of voting, assist the PRIMO with counting the ballots and recovering all voting materials

Your skills and abilities

• Ability to communicate with the public
• Demonstrated tact and courtesy
• Demonstrated good judgment
• Ability to read and quickly understand information and instructions
• Ability to work effectively in a team
• Ability to work on your feet for long hours

Special requirements

• Be age 15 or over
• Have a social insurance number
• Successfully complete the Élections Montréal online training

Short description of position

As a member of the Voter Identification Verification Table, you certify the identity of persons on the list of electors who do not have one of the required pieces of identification. You verify the identity of these people using different means. 

Your main responsibilities

• Welcome the voter 
• Ensure that the voter is registered on the list of electors
• Verify the voter’s identity
• Swear in the elector or the person who certifies his or her identity
• Fill out the required forms
• Complete and sign the record of their decisions

Your skills and abilities

• Ability to communicate with the public
• Be tactful and courteous
• Use good judgment
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment
• Ability to read and understand information and instructions
• Experience in the electoral field, an asset

Special requirements

• Be 15 years or older
• Have a social insurance number
• Successfully complete Élections Montréal online training

Short description of position

As a reception officer, your job is to ensure constant and safe access to the polling place (or other arrival area) to which you are assigned. You greet electors as they arrive and direct them effectively. If necessary, you accompany electors to assist their movement inside the polling place. You inform the PRIMO or the chairperson of the board of revisors of any situation that could affect the proper conduct of activities. You report to the PRIMO or the chairperson of the board of revisors.

Your main responsibilities

• Welcome and guide electors upon their arrival
• Facilitate the movement of electors within the premises
• Inform the PRIMO or board of revisors chairperson of any anomalies or difficulties that may affect the safety or accessibility of the premises

Your skills and abilities

• Ability to communicate with the public
• Demonstrated tact and courtesy
• Demonstrated good judgment
• Good mobility
• Ability to work for long hours

Specific requirements for your position

• Be age 15 or over
• Have a social insurance number
• Successfully complete the Élections Montréal online training
• Familiarize yourself ahead of time with the characteristics of your work location and understand the specific instructions given with respect to the latter

Short description of position

As an officer in charge of information and order, you are the returning officer’s representative in the polling place. You supervise all the activities and ensure that they are carried out properly and that instructions, procedures and the Act respecting Elections and Referendums in Municipalities (AERM) are respected.  You support and assist the election staff in the execution of their work. During voting hours, you ensure the accessibility of the premises and greet the electors. You ensure that only authorized persons are present and inform the returning officer of any anomaly. When the polls close, you coordinate the counting activities and ensure the safe return of election materials to the Élections Montréal point of service. You report to the returning officer.

Your main responsibilities

• Obtain ballot boxes, lists of electors and all materials in the manner specified by the returning officer
• Prepare the polling place for voting and set up the polling place so as to respect public health measures
• Install furniture, posters, arrows and signs
• Greet election staff and candidate representatives.
• Follow up on attendance and replace absent employees
• Return election materials to the election staff
• See to the proper preparation of the polling place and remind people of the instructions
• Ensure universal accessibility and ease of movement within the polling place.
• Ensure that adequate services are provided to electors with special needs
• Declare the polls open at the scheduled time and proceed to open the polling place
• See to the reception of electors during voting hours and direct them to their correct polling stations
• Ensure that voting secrecy is maintained
• Ensure that only authorized persons are present at the voting site
• Regularly verify the work of the election staff, ensure that documents are properly completed and that the deputy returning officers and poll clerks complete the periodic reconciliations. Provide guidance to staff in case of difficulties. If necessary, and after approval, move or replace election staff to ensure compliance with procedures and proper reception
• Act as a resource person for election personnel
• Ensure that all problems are addressed and that the necessary support is obtained. Communicate all relevant information to the returning officer
• See that the statements of electors admitted to vote are collected at the times indicated. Transmit the required information on the defined schedule to the Élections Montréal point of service. Provide a copy to list runners who request it
• Declare the polls closed at the scheduled time. Ensure that electors present at the polling stations at closing time are able to exercise their right to vote
• Invite each team to begin end-of-day operations
• Complete the time sheets
• Answer questions from work teams, help them find solutions in case of difficulties, check the Polling reports and remind them of the closing instructions step by step
• See that forms, envelopes, ballot boxes and other materials are properly filed. Return all materials to the Élections Montréal point of service following the established procedures

Your skills and abilities

• Strong organizational skills
• Leadership and motivational skills
• Ability to pass on knowledge
• Demonstrated good judgment
• Be able to make decisions and resolve difficult situations
• Ability to communicate with the public
• Demonstrated tact and courtesy
• Ability to work effectively in a team
• Experience in the electoral field is an asset

Special requirements

• Be age 16 or over
• Have a social insurance number
• Have access to a vehicle
• Have access to a cellular phone
• Successfully complete the Élections Montréal online training

Short description of position

The transportation clerk is the link between the Élections Montréal borough service point and the polling places. You are responsible for ensuring compliance with election laws on signage. You travel between the Élections Montréal point of service and the polling places to deliver or pick up election materials. You assist with transporting election workers to polling places to replace absentees. You carry out your tasks in accordance with instructions received. You report to the returning officer. 

Your main responsibilities

• Enforce the election laws on partisan signage near voting locations.
• Inform the Information and Order Officer (PRIMO) of any anomalies observed outside or near voting locations
• Transport election workers to designated polling locations
• Bring missing election materials from the Élections Montréal service point or from another voting location to the designated voting location
• Confirm with the PRIMO that he/she has all the necessary materials and equipment

Your skills and abilities

• Strong organizational skills
• Speed of execution
• Knowledge of the designated area
• Able to easily navigate the urban environment
• Ability to communicate with the public
• Demonstrated tact and courtesy
• Strong organizational skills

Specific requirements for your position

• Have access to a motor vehicle that can carry light equipment and a few people
• Have access to a cellular phone
• Have a valid driver’s license
• Be age 16 or over
• Have a social insurance number
• Successfully complete the Élections Montréal online training