Spain's election workers get €75 — duty is compulsory

€75 for more than 12 hours: Spain pays people picked to run polling stations at its 29 November general election €5 more than at the July 2023 vote. Local councils draw the names between 31 October and 4 November. Those chosen must serve, even if they are picked as substitutes.

Who can be picked

Each polling station has a chair and two other members, with two substitutes named for each post. The draw includes registered voters in the area who can read and write and are under 70. Anyone over 65 can turn down the appointment.

What the job involves

Polling station members collect votes and check voters against the electoral register. After voting ends, they count ballots for the Congress of Deputies first, then the Senate. Party representatives may be present throughout voting and the count.

Employees and public officials who would otherwise work on polling day get paid leave for that day. They also get five hours off their working day on Monday 30 November. Anyone who fails to turn up, leaves without a valid reason or fails to meet the rules for giving notice or seeking exemption without justification risks three months to a year in prison or a fine set for six to 24 months.

Topics: Jobs & labour · Politics

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com