Some of the typical duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Open and close the polls. Judges may work from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. or later
- Responsibility for all election materials
- Ensure that only qualified voters are permitted to vote
- Distribute ballots to voters
- Help voters that may require assistance in any way
- Maintain order in the voting place throughout the day
- Register new voters at the polling place
- Process absentee ballots as necessary
- Obtain elections results after the polls close
- Certify the precinct election results
Yes. The pay for election judges varies according to precinct policy. Pay will be at least the legal minimum hourly wage.
The governing body of the municipality or township appoints election judges for precincts in municipalities or townships.
An election judge is an eligible voter trained in election laws and rules set by the Minnesota Secretary of State. Election judges are responsible for the administration of election procedures in the polling place. Election judges help guarantee that the rights of voters are protected on Election Day.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible to be an election judge, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must be at least 18 years of age and a Minnesota resident for at least 20 days prior to the election, and be a citizen of the United States
- You should also be able to provide identification to prove your identity
- You must be affiliated with a major political party
- 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 employment while 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/her employer.
- You cannot be the husband, wife, parent, child, brother, or sister of a candidate, or be related to another election judge serving 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, speak and understand the English language.
To become an election judge, contact the city or township clerk for your area. You may also contact the Pine County Auditor-Treasurer at 320-591-1670. Once your information is received, you will be contacted by your local government clerk for training when your service is needed. Judges are trained and certified for a two-year period. There is no limit to the number of elections you may work at during your certification period, or the number of years you may serve as an election judge.
