Election Judge

How do I Become an Election Judge?

Who are election judges?

Election judges are responsible for the administration of election procedures in the voting place. Election judges help to guarantee that the rights of voters are protected on Election Day.

Who is eligible?

Any person who resides in and is eligible to vote in the state is eligible to be an election judge. At least two election judges in each precinct must serve with a different major political party designation (except in school district and township elections not held in conjunction with a statewide election, and for student trainee election judges).  The remaining election judges in a precinct can serve without an affiliation to a major political party.

How are the judges selected?

The governing body of the municipality or township appoints election judges for precincts in a municipality and townships.

Are election judges paid?

Yes. The pay varies according to precinct policy. Pay will be at least minimum wage.

What are some duties of election judges?

• To open and close the polls (judges work from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. or later).
• To be responsible for all election materials.
• To ensure only qualified voters are permitted to vote only once.
• To distribute ballots.
• To help voters requiring assistance.
• To maintain order in the voting place throughout the day.
• To register new voters at the polling site.
• To process absentee ballots.
• To obtain the results after the polls are closed.
• To certify the precinct election results.

Eligibility Requirements

• You must be at least 18 years of age and a resident of Minnesota for at least 20 days and be a citizen of the United States. You should be prepared to provide identification to prove your identity.
• You may take time off from your regular job without penalty other than the reduction in wages for the time you are absent from your place of work serving as an election judge. A person selected to serve as an election judge must give twenty days written notice prior to the election to his or her employer.
• You cannot be the husband, wife, parent, child, brother, or sister of a candidate or be related to another election judge in the same precinct.
• You cannot be a candidate for the election in which you are serving as a judge.
• You cannot be a judge unless you can read, write, and speak the English language understandably.

How can I become an election judge?

If you are interested in becoming an election judge, please fill out the Election Judge Application Form and return it to our office by e-mail.

Complete the card by signing your name, address, phone number and selecting your precinct. Your local government clerk will call you for training when your service is needed. Judges are trained and certified for two years. They may work at one or several elections during their term of service.

Election Judge Training tools