Utilize Community Service Leave to Serve as a Nonpartisan Poll Worker

Help your fellow North Carolinians exercise their right to vote by volunteering with your County Board of Elections during the 2024 General Election. The State of North Carolina is expanding the opportunity for state employees to use any remaining Community Service Leave (CSL) to serve as nonpartisan poll workers for their County Board of Elections during Early Voting (Oct. 17-Nov. 2) and on Election Day (Nov. 5).

Key Points:

• Need for Poll Workers: Needs vary by county, but many County Boards of Elections are actively recruiting and training volunteers. To learn about local needs, visit Democracy Heroes or contact your County Board directly through the State Board of Elections website.
• Compensation: State employees can keep any pay received from the County Board of Elections without needing dual employment forms.
• Limitations: CSL can only be used for nonpartisan poll work. CSL cannot be used for electioneering or campaigning for political parties, candidates, or nonprofit organizations involved in election activities. Any employees interested in these partisan activities during work hours must request and be approved for vacation leave.
• Documentation: Supervisor approval is required for state employees to use CSL and participants will need to provide proof of time worked at the polls to their supervisor. Employees should record the hours worked as CSL on their leave report and note in the comment field that it was used to serve as a nonpartisan poll worker.
• Eligibility:  Permanent, probationary, and time-limited EHRA non-faculty and SHRA employees are granted 24 hours of paid Community Service Leave per calendar year (prorated for part-time employees and new employees who start after the first of the year). Policy 08.214 Community Service Leave
• Additional Information: Community Service Leave for Nonpartisan Poll Workers FAQs are available on the N.C. Office of Human Resources website. Questions should be directed to the leave keeper for your unit.