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Election Judges
Become an Election Judge
Meet your Neighbors, Be an Election Judge
Are efficient, fair elections important to you? You can help protect voters' rights, serve your community—and be paid to do it.
Join America's largest simultaneous one-day team in the nation! See our Election Judge brochure (pdf) or complete an application online now. We are always looking to add to our team for future elections.
Election Judge qualifications
- U.S. citizen eligible to vote in Minnesota
- Able to read, write and speak English
- Attend an election judge training course (at least two hours)
CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS REQUIREMENTS
- Able to communicate clearly with voters
- Strong understanding of and committment to nonpartisanship
- Comfortable working with and serving a diverse population
- Available to work long hours
- Able to handle stressful situations calmly and professionally
- Attention to detail
- Simple math skills
- Basic computer skills/familiarity
- Fluency in Somali, Spanish, Hmong and/or American Sign Language (desired)
Election Judge DUTIEs
You may be assigned to one or more of the following positions during an election day:
- Head Judge: in charge of the polling place
- Greeter Judge: directs traffic flow and maintains order
- Roster Judge: signs in voters who registered in advance
- Registration Judge: registers voters who did not register in advance
- Demonstration Judge: explains how to mark a ballot
- Ballot Judge: provides the ballots to the voters
- Ballot Counter Judge: oversees the ballot counter and hands out "I Voted" stickers
- Additional duties include setting up and closing down the polling place, and certifying the polling place results
Minneapolis Election Judge Credo
As election judges we serve as the Gatekeepers of Democracy.
As the public's guardians of freedom within a democratic society, we are responsible for the integrity of the election process.
On behalf of the people of the city of Minneapolis we proudly conduct elections with accuracy, integrity and dignity.
We conduct ourselves and serve the voters in a manner that maintains public trust and confidence in honest and impartial elections.
Election Judge Pay
Minneapolis Election Judges are paid an hourly wage to attend a training class and for service on Election Day. The hourly wage for Minneapolis Election Judges is $8.75 per hour.
State law allows for time off from work without loss of wages (Minnesota Statute 204B.195).
TIME OFF FROM EMPLOYMENT TO SERVE
By law your employer must give you paid time off to serve as an election judge.
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.
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
Election judges can choose to volunteer or be paid to serve
Scheduling
Full-day (6 a.m. to approximately 9 p.m.) or part-time shifts (6 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 2 p.m. to approximately 9 p.m.) are available. Election Judge assignments are made by the Elections Department. Each precinct is assigned four to 12 judges, depending on the needs of the election.
