Teller (elections)

Teller is a person who counts the votes in an election, vote, referendum or poll. In the United Kingdom, tellers work on behalf of political parties (usually as volunteers). Tellers help their parties identify supporters who have not yet voted, so that they can be contacted and encouraged to vote, and offered assistance—such as transport to the polling station—if necessary.

In other deliberative assemblies, such as voluntary associations, elections and other matters of importance are frequently voted on by ballot. The tellers are chosen for their accuracy and dependability, are not directly involved on what is being voted in, and usually are allowed to vote themselves.