Help voters in your community

Our next election is the State Primary on August 13, 2024.

Minneapolis needs election judges (poll workers) to work in every election in the city. Election judges work in over 100 polling places located throughout the city, making sure every eligible ballot can be cast and counted. 

About the job

Minneapolis needs close to 2,000 judges to make Election Day happen.

We hire new judges each election. We also need to use many experienced judges to keep the polls running smoothly.

Want to work for us?

• Earn $17.15 per hour
• Work a full day (16 hours); some half day positions available
• Attend a paid training session before Election Day
• Choose which elections you'd like to work
• Flexibility is important; we may need you to work outside of your home precinct

Apply now!

Requirements to be an election judge

State requirements

• Must be eligible to vote in Minnesota
• Must be able to read, write and speak English
• Must complete mandatory election judge training
• Must not be the spouse, parent, stepparent, child, stepchild, sibling or stepsibling of any election judge serving in the same precinct or of any candidate in that election
• Must not live, either permanently or temporarily, with any candidate on the ballot at that election
• Must not be a candidate in the election

City of Minneapolis requirements

• Strong understanding of and commitment to nonpartisanship
• Able to communicate clearly with voters
• Enjoy assisting and serving diverse populations
• Available to work long hours on Election Day
• Handle stressful situations calmly and professionally
• Demonstrate attention to detail
• Work as a team member and follow directions
• Comfortable using technology

Language fluency in Hmong, Somali, Spanish, Oromo, Amharic, Lao, and/or American Sign Language is desired.

Time off to work as an election judge

State law allows for time off from work to serve as an election judge without loss of wages (Minnesota Statute 204B.195).

To qualify, you must provide your employer with at least 20 days written notice and the pay rate you will receive to serve as an election judge. Elections & Voter Services will provide you with this notice.

Your employer may:

• Reduce your salary or wages by the amount you are paid as an election judge during the time you are away from work
• Restrict the number of its employees serving as election judges to no more than 20 percent from a single work site

You may voluntarily take a vacation day to be fully paid by your employer and receive election judge pay as extra income; however, an employer may not force you to take vacation or any other form of paid leave.

You may give this letter to your employer, provided by the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State, to explain the law regarding time off from work to serve as an election judge.