Election judges are responsible for the administration of election procedures in the polling place and help guarantee voter's rights are protected. Plus, it's a great way to learn about the election process, be active in the community, meet new people, learn new skills and get paid!

Election Judge Training

All election judges are required to attend a two-hour training. Head/co-head election judges are required to take an additional one-hour training. And of course, you will be paid for all time spent training. 

Election Judge Duties

Election judge duties include:

• Open and close the polls (judges may work in shifts from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm or later)
• Take responsibility for all election materials
• Ensure qualified voters are permitted to vote only once
• Distribute ballots
• Help voters requiring assistance
• Maintain order in the voting place throughout the day
• Register new voters at the polling site
• Process absentee ballots
• Obtain the results after the polls are closed
• Certify the precinct election results

If you are interested in becoming an election judge for the 2024 Election cycle, please complete the application linked below.  The duties listed above includes general information regarding the role.

Who can apply?

Anyone who is eligible to vote in Minnesota. That means you have to be at least 18 years old and a resident of Minnesota for at least 20 days by the time of the election. An election judge candidate must by a resident of the United States and able to read, write and speak English. Students 16 and 17 years-old can be trainee election judges.

Relatives cannot serve together in the same precinct at the same time. A relative is defined as a spouse, parent, stepparent, child, stepchild, sibling, or stepsibling. In addition, relatives of a candidate, and anyone who temporarily or permanently lives in the same house as a candidate, cannot serve in the precinct where the candidate is on the ballot.

Candidates cannot serve in a precinct where they are on the ballot.
 

High school students can be election judges too!

Students either 16 or 17 years old can work as trainee election judges.

Trainee election judges receive the same training and pay as other election judges. They also perform many of the same election tasks. Trainee election judges cannot work past 10:00 p.m. and cannot perform duties that require two people of different parties. 

To qualify, you must be 16 or 17 on or before Election Day, be a U.S. citizen in good academic standing at a Minnesota high school (or home schooled) and get permission for your parents and your school official. 
Interested in becoming a trainee election judge for the 2024 Elections? Apply here!

2024 Election Judge Application