The City of Sault Ste. Marie is accepting applications to work during the 2026 Municipal Election. Voting Day is October 26, 2026.
The following election positions are available:
- Greeter
- Tabulator Officer
- Ballot Officer
Successful candidates must attend a 1-2 hour training session (including material review and in-class session) and be prepared to work approximately 10-12 hours on Voting Day and 9-10 hours during Advance Voting Days.
Election experience is an asset but not necessary for all positions. Preference will be given to individuals who have worked at previous municipal/provincial/federal elections.
Applications for Election Employment
Applications can be submitted online. If you do not have access to a computer or would prefer a hard copy of an application please contact the Election office at 705-759-5752 or by visiting the Ronald A. Irwin Civic Centre, 99 Foster Drive, Sault Ste. Marie.
The City thanks all applicants for their interest in participating in the election process; however, only successful applicants will be contacted.
Election Worker Position Descriptions
Greeter
The greeter welcomes, directs and assists people at a voting location.
Skills required: Good customer service and communication skills. No computer skills required.
Responsibilities:
- Arrive at the voting location no later than 9 a.m.;
- Assist with voting location set up and take down, opening and closing;
- Greet electors upon entry in a friendly and helpful manner;
- Direct voters to voting areas;
- Assist electors in any capacity required (opening doors, etc.);
- Ensure that electors do not go into areas that do not relate to voting (particularly if the location is within a school);
- Direct the orderly flow of people in the voting place;
- Ask electors who have their voter identification card to have acceptable identification ready to present to the Ballot Officer;
- Frequently check the parking lot, entrance, hallway(s), and Voting Location to ensure that any barriers, and campaign material, are removed;
- Ensure electors leave the voting location after voting.
Ballot Officer
The Ballot Officer processes electors and provides them with ballots.
Skills required: Strong organizational, communication and problem solving skills. Computer skills required.
Responsibilities:
- Arrive at the voting place no later than 9 a.m.;
- Assist with posting of signage and other opening procedures as required;
- Check that elector’s identification is sufficient before issuing a ballot;
- Issue written oaths of qualification if identification is insufficient;
- Issue ballots to electors in secrecy folders and brief them on voting procedures;
- Use electronic Voters List to locate electors and electronically strike them as having voted;
- Direct electors to the Revision Officer if they need to be added to the Voters List or if they require an amendment to elector information;
- Assist electors as required and issue oaths as necessary;
- Assist with the removal of signage and loading of supplies.
Tabulator Officer
The Tabulator Officer feeds ballots into the vote tabulator and prints the candidate results tape.
Skills required: Ability to problem-solve situations in relation to the vote tabulator, strong communication skills. Basic computer skills required.
Responsibilities:
- Arrive at the voting location no later than 9 a.m.;
- Set up the vote tabulator and initialize prior to the opening of the voting location;
- Receive completed ballots in secrecy folders from electors;
- Process ballots through the vote tabulator;
- Advise electors of any potential errors and over-votes on the ballot;
- Refer electors to Ballot Officer if they need to correct their ballot;
- At the close of the voting location, close the vote tabulator;
- Assist with tabulator closing procedures and clean-up;
- Assist with packing and loading supplies as needed.
Hours on Voting Day/Advance Voting Days
Polls open at 10:00 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. on Voting Day – Monday, October 26, 2026.
Advance polls are open 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on October 7 and 14 and from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on October 10 and 17. All advance voting will take place at Bay Street Active Living Centre 55+, 619 Bay Street, Sault Ste. Marie.
On Voting Day, election workers are required to be present at the assigned voting location from 9:00 a.m. until after the polls close and equipment is put away.
Training Sessions
You will be required to attend a mandatory training session during September or October. Training sessions will take place at the Ronald A. Irwin Civic Centre, located at 99 Foster Drive, Sault Ste. Marie.
Next Steps
Qualified applicants will be contacted to arrange a follow up interview.
If selected for an election position you will be notified of your voting location and the date of your training session.
Note: Submitting an application does not guarantee placement.
Questions regarding election employment can be directed to the Election Office at 705-759-5752 or election@cityssm.on.ca .