Election employee information

Training to prepare you for your duties at the polling station is carried out online at the Election Trainer website. The training is mandatory and must be completed by the date in your training invitation email. You can access the Election Trainer website by following the link below. 

Your will receive your Election Trainer log in details by email. The password you are sent by email is only for initial access and you will be asked to accept terms and conditions and change your password the first time you log on.

Election Trainer can be accessed from a wide range of devices including laptops, mobile phones and tablets.

The Polling Station Staff Training programme will lead you through what you can expect to happen on polling day. The programme is made up of courses and lessons, and includes interactive exercises.

The training is available now and does not need to be completed in one session, but must be completed in full by the date in your training invitation email.  If you have previously completed this training it must still be completed for this election.

Access the training website here using the username and password in your training invitation email.

The Polling Station Staff Training programme will lead you through what you can expect to happen on polling day. The programme is made up of courses and lessons and includes interactive exercises. All elements must be completed sequentially.

The training is available now. It does not need to be done in one session but must be completed in full by the date in your training invitation email. If you have previously completed this training it must still be completed again for this election.

Assessment and completion of training

At the end of the training there is a multiple choice assessment to check your knowledge and understanding of your duties on polling day, made up of randomised questions. You may take the assessment as often as you wish or need to. Once you pass the assessment you will have successfully completed the course.

Election Trainer is a UK-wide training tool and this course is based on the Electoral
Commission's guidance, so it may not cover any local issues which may be relevant. Please complete the training in conjunction with reviewing the local guidance linked below.

After completion of the training you can access it again as often as you like until polling day.

Once Election Trainer has confirmed that you have completed the training £20 will be added to your fee.

The resources below will support and assist you in carrying out your role on polling day and should be read in conjunction with the online training.

• Electoral Commission Polling Station Handbook - Scottish Local Government Elections
• Electoral Commission Polling Station Quick Guide
• Stirling Council Guidance for Polling Station Staff 
• Electoral Commission - Notification of secrecy requirements

Printed copies of handbooks and guidance will be available at your polling station on polling day. If you require printed copies to assist with your training, please contact elections@stirling.gov.uk and these can be made available to you.

Before the poll

Presiding Officers, including PO1 are required to collect their ballot box the day before polling day. Details of your collection arrangements are provided in your email with training details.

After the poll

The Presiding Officer No.1 should return all boxes and sacks from their Polling Place to the Count Centre. Where there are a large number of boxes, this can be shared with other Presiding Officers. Mileage can be claimed for these journeys.

The hours of poll will be from 7am to 10pm. Staff must be at their Polling Station no later than 6:15am and remain there until all activities are completed after the close of the poll. You cannot leave the polling place during the day. 

Polling places are not booked for election use prior to polling day and there is no access for setting up prior to polling day. You must not make any arrangements to access the venue or set up prior to polling day and set up must be completed on your arrival on polling day.

If you are registered to vote in the ward you are working in then you should note that your duties on polling day will prevent you from being able to attend in person to vote at a Polling Place other than the one in which you are working. You may wish to apply for a Postal Vote, if you have not already done so and if postal vote applications are still open. 

Application forms are available via the link below.

They should be returned to:

Electoral Registration Officer
Central Scotland Valuation Joint Board
Ground Floor Right
Glendevon House
The Castle Business Park
Stirling
FK9 4TZ

If you have a postal vote or if you are working at the polling place where you would normally vote, you won't need a certificate of employment.

You may request a Certificate of employment to allow you to vote at the polling place where you are working. If you require a certificate of employment, email your request to elections@stirling.gov.uk by Monday before polling day.

Stirling Council employees should ensure they have the permission of their line manager for the time away from their normal role to participate in the Election. Contact the Elections Office if you require any more information on arrangements which the Returning Officer has made in respect of provision for time off for Council staff.

Your election fee, including your training fee, will be paid automatically on the date advised in your training email. You do not need to complete or submit any claim form.

If your payment details have changed since you last provided them to us contact payroll@stirling.gov.uk