how do you apply to count votes for the general election ?

tierney2

how do you apply to count votes for the general election on March 11th? Based in Galway.

sink

It's only open to civil servants.

dark crystal

Anyone, unemployed or otherwise can apply for the position of polling clerk. Just write with your CV to the Returning Officer in your County stating your interest in the position.
The rate for a junior polling clerk is €485 for a days work from 7:00AM - 10:00PM.
Thats before tax.



It is a different story with the people counting the votes - that is a closed shop. As far as I'm aware, only civil servants get to count votes.

Raging_Ninja

dark crystal wrote: »

It is a different story with the people counting the votes - that is a closed shop. As far as I'm aware, only civil servants get to count votes.

I do not believe that is true, though I could be wrong.

mikemac

If you are successful you get added to their list. If you start to miss elections, even just one then you get dropped and you won't get selected again.

snickerpuss

Raging_Ninja wrote: »

I do not believe that is true, though I could be wrong.

I used to be a member of Labour Youth and was contacted asking was I available to count votes for the 2007 general election. I was never remotely active, never went to one meeting so they don't seem too fussy about who it is!

PS: Joined in my first year of college 2004, never again, and they're still stalking me!

ninty9er

snickerpuss wrote: »

I used to be a member of Labour Youth and was contacted asking was I available to count votes for the 2007 general election. I was never remotely active, never went to one meeting so they don't seem too fussy about who it is!

PS: Joined in my first year of college 2004, never again, and they're still stalking me!

Sounds like tallying to me. It's not counting votes.

steelcityblues

To the OP: Remember the video of the boxes that went into the back of a car at Cork city centre count during Lisbon Treaty 2?

Be careful who you are working alongside if you choose to do it.

bloopy

steelcityblues wrote: »

To the OP: Remember the video of the boxes that went into the back of a car at Cork city centre count during Lisbon Treaty 2?

Be careful who you are working alongside if you choose to do it.

what video is that?

gcgirl

snickerpuss wrote: »

I used to be a member of Labour Youth and was contacted asking was I available to count votes for the 2007 general election. I was never remotely active, never went to one meeting so they don't seem too fussy about who it is!

PS: Joined in my first year of college 2004, never again, and they're still stalking me!

Radical 1st year ?
They asked you to tally

BrownianMotion

Anyone can work as a polling clerk or count votes. Being a civil servant is not required.

However as with most things in this country it is who you know, rather than what you can do.

If anyone has ever managed to secure one of these jobs without a little nepotism I'd be interested to find out!

steelcityblues

bloopy wrote: »

what video is that?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t764ACqXK3M


Very suspicious!

mikemac

snickerpuss wrote: »

I used to be a member of Labour Youth and was contacted asking was I available to count votes for the 2007 general election. I was never remotely active, never went to one meeting so they don't seem too fussy about who it is!

PS: Joined in my first year of college 2004, never again, and they're still stalking me!

They weren't offering paid work to count votes, they want you to volunteer to be a tallyman.
They do bring their volunteers out for drinks after it all as a thank you. The Button Factory in Dublin had an event last time

Mint Sauce

Just doing up a letter for one of these positions myself, want it to be as professional as possible so am wondering if anyone knows the exact titles of the positions as opposed to just putting down poll clerk or vote counter, if these are the official titles that’s fine.

Would be interested in doing anything that assists on either poll day or count day or both.

Couldn't find anything exact on my Google searches yet.

LeixlipRed

I wouldn't bother applying. It's all pure nepotism. I got the job because I knew someone and every single person I've ever worked with in the 7 years I've done it has been the same.

vintac34

How are these positions filled ,who appoints/selects them??
What qualifications are required?
I see the same faces election after election with few changes..
Is it more of the Irish cronyism or honest and fair selection,or what??

Raging_Ninja

who appoints/selects them??

The County Registrar's Office.

vintac34 wrote: »

I see the same faces election after election with few changes..

Once a person has been selected to work in the polling station, they are offered it at each subsequent election/referendum. If they miss out on any one, they don't get it again. If a person wants, they can hold the same position for decades if they so wished.

What qualifications are required?

Basic literacy I suppose. Turn up at the polling station at 06.30 in order to set it up, tidy up afterwards (usually takes until 22.30-23.00), and drop off the box to the designated collection point.

Is it more of the Irish cronyism or honest and fair selection,or what??

I assume they go through various Garda checks.

The price for working in the polling station or counting votes is that they are forbidden from doing any form of electioneering and have to inform the registrar's office if they are a member of a political party.

I suggest you ask your county registrar's office.

sh7289

dark crystal wrote: »

Anyone, unemployed or otherwise can apply for the position of polling clerk. Just write with your CV to the Returning Officer in your County stating your interest in the position.
The rate for a junior polling clerk is €485 for a days work from 7:00AM - 10:00PM.
Thats before tax.



It is a different story with the people counting the votes - that is a closed shop. As far as I'm aware, only civil servants get to count votes.

I have been a poll clerk twice, counted votes the first time I did it. It's definitely not exclusive to civil servants. Crossing my fingers I'll get called again...

Peter6000

How close to the election , would you find out if you have been selected to work either in the voting stations or counting votes.

Thanks

Peter