Election Judges

Serving as an election judge is a chance to learn about elections and is a great service to the community. Election judges help guarantee the rights of voters are protected and are responsible for administering election procedures in polling locations on election day. Fill out the election judge form here.

Duties

Judges open and close the polls, register new voters at the location, distribute ballots, protect voter privacy, calculate and certify results.

Qualifications

To serve as an election judge you must be eligible to vote in Minnesota, and be able to read, write, and speak English.
However, a judge cannot be a cadidate in the election, be closely related to a candidate or closely related to another election judge in the same precinct (spouse, parent, child, or sibling)

Pay

Election judges are paid for their time. The rate is $13.00/hour for election judges and $15.00/hour for head judges. There is also a mileage reimbursement for travel, which will be discussed after reviewing the application.

Time Off Work

By law, your employer must give you time off to work as an election judge. You must give you employer at least 20 days written notice.

Training

You must complete an election judge training course before you serve. You will attend a class at least two hours in length and the certification is valid for two years. If you are a new judge you will also need to complete ePollbook training.

Student Trainees

To serve as a trainee election judge students must: be 16 or 17 years old, be a US citizen, obtain school and parental permission, and serve in the county where they reside. Trainees are assigned the same duties as other judges with the exception of tasks requiring party affiliation. The same training as election judges must be completed.