3-412. Election inspectors and poll clerks; training. 1. Each board of elections shall, at least once every year, conduct a mandatory school for the instruction of election inspectors, poll clerks and election coordinators. They shall be given written notice stating the time and place at which such school or schools shall be held.
1-a. The state board of elections shall establish a mandatory core curriculum for poll worker training which includes the requirements in subdivision two of this section, as amended by a chapter of the laws of 2005, and the rights of voters at the polls and obligation of election workers to protect those rights while maintaining the integrity of the franchise, including assisting voters with disabilities or with limited or no proficiency in the English language, handling, processing and entitlement to ballots, including affidavit and emergency ballots, proper identification requirements, procedures to be followed with respect to voters whose names are not on the list of registered voters or whose identities have not been verified, electioneering and other violations of the elective franchise as defined in this chapter, solicitation by individuals and groups at the polling place and procedures to be followed after the polls close. Each board of elections shall augment the core curriculum with local procedures not inconsistent with the core curriculum adopted by the state board of elections and which includes procedures relating to proper operation of, and remedying problems with, the voting machine or system in use in that jurisdiction.
2. Election inspectors, poll clerks and election coordinators shall be instructed concerning the election law, the taking of registrations, the use of voting machines, disability etiquette and their duties in connection therewith as soon as possible after their designation.
3. Election inspectors, poll clerks and election coordinators as required by this section shall, upon their original designation, and every year thereafter, complete a course of instruction, and, before certification, pass an examination thereon. The state board of elections shall supply each board of elections with instructional material to be used in the preparation for such examinations and shall give each such board of elections uniform directions for the conduct of such examinations, which, it shall be the duty of the board to follow. Every such board may utilize additional materials selected by it in the course of instruction. No person taking such examination shall be permitted to know the questions or answers in advance or be given access to the answers during the examination. If such inspectors or clerks pass such examination, the board of elections shall certify the designated election inspector or poll clerk.
4. The county board of elections shall within two weeks notify those who have passed the examination, that they are certified to serve.
5. Each board of elections shall reproduce a booklet of instructions for inspectors prepared by the state board of elections. A copy of such booklet shall be given to each inspector at the time such inspector attends the course of instruction. At least one copy of such booklet shall be included with the supplies sent to each election district for each election and day of local registration.
Last modified: February 3, 2019