Wes Nakagiri

Livingston County Commissioner 

Are you looking for an opportunity to serve your community? Why not consider working as an election inspector? City and township clerks are always seeking Election Day assistance.

Election inspectors are paid to assist voters at the polls on Election Day. Some of their responsibilities include checking voters’ registration records and recording that they voted, distributing ballots, assisting voters, and maintaining order within the voting precinct. 

An election inspector must be a registered voter in the State.  An inspector cannot be a challenger, a candidate for nomination or election to any office on the ballot, or a member of a candidate’s immediate family.  Immediate family is defined as the individual’s father, mother, brother, sister, spouse, or any relative residing in the same household with that person. In addition, anyone convicted of a felony or an election crime may not be an inspector.

The first three inspectors appointed to serve on a precinct board must be 18 years of age or older. Additional inspectors appointed to the board may be high school students 16 or 17 years of age. With the exception of being qualified and registered voters, students must meet all of the other requirements. They are also required to receive permission from their school and are subject to the provisions of child labor laws. Students cannot serve as precinct chairpersons; however, the addition of younger workers provides more flexibility in manning the polls on Election Day and allows young people an opportunity to see democracy in action. They also add energy and enthusiasm to the voting precincts on Election Day. 

Please contact the Livingston County Clerk’s Office, at (517) 546-8177, or your city or township clerk’s office to request an election inspector application and/or to seek additional information. It’s a very rewarding experience, and training is provided prior to Election Day.

Note: the position of Election Inspector is a paid position.
Link to election inspector information posted on the Livingston County website.
Link to election information posted on the Hartland Township website.
Link to election information posted on the Tyrone Township website.

Note: Election inspectors under the age of 18 must comply with child labor laws. The pertinent portions of these laws were excerpted from the Michigan Department of Education website and are shown below (click on Read More). A more complete discussion of child labor laws can be found here.