Adopt-A-Precinct
The Adopt-A-Precinct (AAP) program started in 1998 as a way for community organizations and businesses to partner with the Orange County Supervisor of Elections and take part in the elections process. Through the program, participating organizations staff a polling place by providing a team of trained individuals to help run that precinct on Election Day. These team members work together to support voters and ensure the polling place operates smoothly from start to finish.
Rather than paying each poll worker individually, the Supervisor of Elections Office provides a single payment to the organization for the total amount each poll worker would have earned. Organizations use these funds to support important community initiatives like scholarships, school programs, civic projects, and community outreach efforts.
Following the program’s early success, the Florida Legislature passed legislation in 2002 requiring all Supervisors of Elections across the state to develop similar partnerships with their local communities and businesses. What started with one partner group in 1998 has grown into a strong network of nearly 90 participating organizations during the 2024 election cycle.
Examples of Organization Partners
Our Adopt-A-Precinct program is made up of organizations from across Orange County, including:
- Fraternities and Sororities
- Churches
- School Groups
- Civic Organizations
Are You Interested in Adopting a Precinct?
Fill out the Adopt-A-Precinct interest form.
Orientation Presentation
Benefits of Participating
Participating in the AAP program is a unique opportunity to serve your community. This opportunity can also serve as a team-building experience for your organization. Funds raised through participation in the AAP program can be used for scholarships, school programs, civic projects, community outreach efforts, and more! Your group will get recognized for participating in the Adopt-A-Precinct program with a sign at the polling place on Election Day, as well as your organization’s name on our AAP Partner Wall at our office.
Adopt-A-Precinct Coordinator
The coordinator for your organization is essential to a strong relationship between the Supervisor of Elections Office and your group. Most communication between the SOE and your volunteers will go directly through the coordinator.
Coordinators Must:
- Communicate with both the SOE and their volunteers
- Respond in a timely manner
- Stay organized
- Begin recruiting volunteers early
- Submit paperwork on time
- Ensure volunteers understand that all pay will be paid directly to the organization and not to individuals
- Onboard volunteers and ensure they understand the requirements of being an Election Day poll worker
- Assign their volunteers to a position
- Remind volunteers of their scheduled training dates
- Designate a backup point of contact
Poll Worker Positions
Each poll worker has specific duties to perform on Election Day. The following is a list of positions and a brief description of their duties. All positions, except the Poll Deputy, use some type of computer or electronic device to perform their assigned duties.
Poll Deputy
All Poll Deputies must undergo and pass a background check and are deputized by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. The Poll Deputy greets voters, maintains order at the polling place, enforces the 150-ft ‘No Solicitation’ zone, sets out all required signage at precinct, and sets up the voting booths. Deputies are stationed outside of the polling place and routinely monitor the area.
ePoll Book Inspectors
ePoll Book Inspectors verify that all ballots are present on Election Day morning, check in eligible voters, issue voters their ballot, and assist the Poll Clerk with ballot accounting as needed.
Voting Systems Inspector (VSI)
The VSI is responsible for the setup, operation, and closing of the tabulator (DS300) and ADA voting equipment (ExpressVote). They assist voters in inserting their ballots into the tabulator, distribute ‘I Voted’ stickers, transmit voting results, and pack and secure the voted ballots at the end of the night.
Help Desk Oath Person (HDOP)
The HDOP checks in regular voters as well as voters with exceptions referred by the ePoll Book Inspector. They can make address and name updates and issue provisional ballots. They may also assist the Poll Clerk with ballot accounting on Election Day as needed. Additionally, the HDOP is responsible for picking up HDOP tablets before Election Day.
Poll Clerk
The Poll Clerk is knowledgeable in all poll worker roles within the polling place and can fill any position on the board. Clerks must pick up election supplies before Election Day. On Election Day, the Poll Clerk organizes and directs the Election Board, assists voters, is responsible for ballot accounting, secures election results, and returns precinct supplies to the designated collection site at the end of Election Day.
Poll Worker Pay
Adopt-A-Precinct groups are paid for each position they supply a volunteer for. The standard amount for a seven-person Election Board for any election is $2,400.00. This amount may vary depending on the staffing needs of the precinct assigned to the AAP group. Payments to AAP groups are issued by check following each election. Every effort will be made to ensure AAP groups are paid within a reasonable timeframe. If an AAP group is unable to fill a position, the SOE will provide a replacement, and the group will not be compensated for that position.
Standard Pay Per Position
| Number of Positions | Position | Amount Paid |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clerk | $425 |
| 1 | HDOP | $375 |
| 3 | E-Poll | $325 x 3 =$975 |
| 1 | VSI | $350 |
| 1 | Deputy | $275 |
| 7 | TOTAL | $2,400 |
Poll Worker Requirements & Duties
All volunteers must meet the requirements for becoming a poll worker. Specific duties vary by position, but the duties listed below apply to all poll workers.
Poll Workers Must
- Be a registered voter in Orange County, Florida
- Be able to read and write English
- Not be a candidate running for office
- Be willing to work 14-plus hours on Election Day
- Attend training prior to each election
- Remain nonpartisan during training and on Election Day
On Election Day, Poll Workers Must
- Report to the polling place by 5:45 AM on Election Day
- Assist in setting up the polling place
- Assist other workers when necessary
- Treat all voters in a courteous manner
- Follow voting procedures presented in training and in the Poll Worker Manual
- Assist in closing the polls
Positions Filled by SOE
We can supply any position your group is unable to fill. For example, we can provide a poll worker who speaks Spanish if your volunteers to do not meet the bilingual requirement. If your group is missing both the bilingual and party requirements, we will make every effort to provide poll workers who meet those requirements. However, there is no guarantee we will be able to meet both requirements with a single poll worker. This may result in the need to fill (or substitute) more than one poll worker position on your AAP team.
Poll workers assigned to work alongside your group are a part of your team for Election Day and should be treated as such. All poll workers assigned by the SOE will be paid individually and must not be pressured to donate their pay to your organization.
Additional Volunteers
If you have extra volunteers that would like to work, your organization may be able to earn additional funds.
Work Another Precinct
- Extra volunteers may be assigned to another precinct for the day
- Those funds still go to your organization
Election Day Backups
- Must be willing to work anywhere in Orange County
- Must have reliable transportation
- Must report to the SOE office by 5:30 AM on Election Day
- Those funds still go to your organization
If you have other volunteers who would like to help but cannot make the full-day commitment, consider asking them to help set up your polling place or deliver food to your team Election Day.
How Do Poll Workers Vote?
The majority of our poll workers do not work in their home precinct, which is the only location where you can vote on Election Day. Because of this, it’s important to plan ahead for how you will cast your ballot. Your options include:
Early Voting
- Vote at any of the 29 early voting locations across Orange County
- Early voting begins 10-15 days before Election Day
Vote-by-Mail
- All voters may request a Vote-by-Mail ballot no later than 5 PM 12 days prior to Election Day
- Ballots must be returned to the SOE by 7 PM on Election Day
- Vote-by-mail requests expire after every federal general election, and must be renewed if you wish to continue receiving a ballot
Election Day
- Polls are open from 7 AM to 7 PM
- Voters must vote at their assigned polling place on Election Day