Home > Election Judges

Help voters in your community

We need you!

Minneapolis needs election judges to work in every election in the city. Election judges work in the 132 polling places located throughout the city, making sure every eligible ballot can be cast and counted. Minneapolis needs close to 2,000 election judges to make Election Day happen. Could you be one?

Election judges are paid $14.00 per hour ($15.75 per hour starting July 1, 2018), and can work full or partial shifts. Depending upon your schedule and preferences, you can choose which elections you work in, and whether you want to be at a polling place close to where you live or anywhere in the city.

Apply Online Now

If you are a returning election judge, please visit our election worker portal to indicate you are interested in working again and to update your profile.

For questions about serving as an election judge, call (612) 673-3870 or email EJCoordinator@minneapolismn.gov.

REQUIREMENTS for serving as 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
Fluency in Somali, Spanish, Hmong, Oromo, and/or American Sign Language is desired.

TIME OFF FROM Work TO SERVE 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 memo, provided by the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State, to your employer to explain the law regarding time off from work to serve as an election judge.