Forsyth County seeks 600 poll workers for 2026 elections

Forsyth County is trying to fill more than 600 poll worker slots for the 2026 election cycle, a staffing push election officials say will shape how smoothly voters move through precincts this year. The county is holding Poll Worker Preview Sessions at the Voter Registrations & Elections office at 1201 Sawnee Drive in Cumming for residents who want to learn more before signing up.

Poll workers sit at the center of election-day operations. County and state guidance says they welcome voters, check photo identification, check people in, help with election equipment when needed and keep lines moving throughout the day. Georgia Secretary of State training materials describe poll workers as essential to the elections process, and Forsyth County treats them as part of the basic infrastructure that keeps voting accessible in a fast-growing county.

The staffing need comes as Forsyth continues to add residents and voters. The county’s population estimate reached 280,096 on July 1, 2024, and 282,805 on July 1, 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That marked 11.5% growth since the April 1, 2020 census base, a pace that helps explain why local election officials are recruiting early rather than waiting for a high-turnout cycle to strain precincts.

Forsyth County says it operates and maintains 30 polling places on Election Day. County planning documents indicate proposed precinct changes for the 2026 cycle would add one Election Day polling place, keeping the total at 30 if approved. That network has to be staffed not just for Election Day itself, but also for early and advance voting and for runoff elections when they are needed.

The 2026 election calendar includes the May 19 General Primary and Nonpartisan General Election, the June 16 runoff if needed, the Nov. 3 General Election and the Dec. 1 General Election runoff if needed. The May 19 election has passed, and the June 16 runoff window has passed as well, but the fall election and any December runoff will still require a full slate of workers.

Eligibility is broad. Forsyth County and state guidance say poll workers must be U.S. citizens and at least 16 years old, and applicants should be residents or employees of the county where they serve. People comfortable using computers and tablets are strongly encouraged to apply.

Forsyth County says poll workers may choose either a small stipend or the chance to volunteer their time. For residents who want a direct role in local democracy, the county’s message is simple: sign up now, before the next turnout surge turns a staffing shortage into longer lines and slower troubleshooting at the polls.