ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Buncombe County is looking for residents willing to help make the 2026 election season run smoothly by serving as poll workers.

The county is recruiting temporary, paid election workers to staff early voting sites, precincts and other election-related positions. Officials said poll workers play an important role in ensuring elections are safe, secure and accessible for more than 216,000 registered voters in Buncombe County.

No previous election experience is required. Training is provided for all positions, and the county is encouraging people with strong customer service skills, computer experience and a commitment to public service to apply.

Buncombe County needs nearly 200 early voting poll workers to staff 13 early voting locations. Those workers will serve from Oct. 15 through Oct. 31 and must be available throughout the entire early voting period.

Early voting workers will complete required training and work morning or afternoon shifts lasting at least seven hours. Pay ranges from $15 to $17 per hour, depending on the position.

For Election Day on Nov. 3, the county needs nearly 500 poll workers to support voting at 80 precincts. Election Day workers must attend training, assist with polling place setup on Nov. 2 for about two hours and return for a full Election Day shift from 6 a.m. until approximately 8:30 p.m.

Pay for Election Day positions ranges from $275 to $390, depending on the role.

High school students also have an opportunity to serve as Election Day Student Assistants. Students must be at least 17 years old by Nov. 3 and be in good academic standing.

Student assistants must complete training, help with polling place setup on Nov. 2 and work the full Election Day shift. Students will be paid $275 for their service.

The county is also hiring seasonal election office workers for roles including office assistants, voter registration assistants, IT and technical support positions, and auditing assistants.

Another election-season opportunity is the Multi-partisan Assistance Team, or MAT. MAT members work in bipartisan pairs to visit local care facilities and help residents register to vote, request absentee ballots and complete the voting process. County officials said most MAT positions for this election season have already been filled.

Residents interested in becoming poll workers or learning more about seasonal election positions can apply online, call 828-250-4200 or visit the Buncombe County Employment and Poll Worker Opportunities webpage.