Local call to service as West Kelowna seeks roughly 150 election workers
The City of West Kelowna is putting out a call for residents to help run the 2026 General Local Election, recruiting about 150 people to staff voting locations for advance and general voting days this October. The appeal will be of particular interest to Kelowna-area residents looking for short-term work, students, retirees and anyone wanting to support local democracy.
"Election workers wanted"
Municipal officials say election workers will be needed for the three advance voting days — Oct. 7, 13 and 15 — and for general voting day on Oct. 17. Successful applicants will be invited to an in-person interview on Sept. 9 and 10, with training and assignment details to follow closer to the election.
Roles, pay and responsibilities
The city is offering daily stipends that vary by position and experience. Positions that require prior election experience have higher rates; however, the city is also hiring workers with no previous experience.
| Position | Requirement | Daily stipend |
|---|---|---|
| Presiding Election Official | Prior election experience | $500 |
| Alternate Presiding Election Official | Prior election experience | $400 |
| Election Official | No prior experience required | $325 |
Typical responsibilities listed by the city include operating voting locations, issuing ballots, supporting accessibility for voters and ensuring a smooth election process. These duties will be essential for upholding the integrity and accessibility of the municipal vote across West Kelowna and neighbouring communities.
- Work dates: advance voting on Oct. 7, 13 and 15; general voting day Oct. 17.
- Interviews scheduled for Sept. 9 and 10.
- Training and assignment details provided to successful applicants closer to election day.
Why local workers matter
Local election workers are the backbone of municipal voting operations. They help ensure ballots are issued correctly, polling locations run efficiently and voters with accessibility needs receive support. For residents of Kelowna and the Central Okanagan, staffing shortages or inexperienced crews can slow lines and complicate the voting experience, while well-trained local teams help maintain public confidence in the process.
Short-term municipal election work has become an attractive option for people seeking flexible employment with a public-service component. The city’s daily stipends put immediate earnings within reach for those available on the specified dates, and positions that require experience offer higher compensation for individuals who have worked elections before.
How to apply
People interested in these temporary roles are directed to apply online through the City of West Kelowna’s official channels. The city will invite successful applicants to the in-person interviews on Sept. 9 and 10; exact training dates and assignment locations will be provided later.
For Kelowna-area residents, the recruitment underscores the interconnectedness of regional municipalities and how civic engagement often depends on neighbours stepping into short-term, but crucial, roles. With municipal ballots due in October, the city’s call is a timely reminder that running an election requires hundreds of hands, many of them local.
The City of West Kelowna’s recruitment notice provides the primary details about positions, pay and dates; interested applicants should consult the city’s website for application forms and the most up-to-date information.
