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Become an Election Judge
Who are election judges? |
 Blue Earth County resident, Jan Weir, serves as Head Election Judge at the Blue Earth County Government Center during the Primary Election. Weir has served as an Election Judge in Blue Earth County over 20 years. |
Can students under the age of 18 volunteer?
Yes. Students aged 16 to 18 may be eligible to be an election judge trainee. To be an election judge trainee, a person must meet the following criteria;
- Be age 16 or older
- Be enrolled in a high school or be home schooled in Minnesota
- Have the approval of a parent and school principal
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be able to read, write and speak English
Upon turning 18, students may serve as a regular election judge. To apply as an Election Judge Trainee click here.
- What are some duties of election judges?
- To open and close the polls (judges work from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. or later).
- To be responsible for all election materials.
- To ensure only qualified voters are permitted to vote only once.
- To distribute ballots.
- To help voters requiring assistance.
- To maintain order in the voting place throughout the day.
- To register new voters at the polling site.
- To process absentee ballots.
- To obtain the results after the polls are closed.
- To certify the precinct election results.
- Eligibility Requirements
- You must be at least 18 years of age and a resident of Minnesota for at least 20 days and be a citizen of the United States. You should be prepared to provide identification to prove your identity.
- You must be affiliated with a major political party.
- You cannot be the husband, wife, parent, child, brother, or sister of a candidate or be related to another election judge 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, and speak the English language understandably.
If you are interested in becoming an election judge, please fill out the Election Judge Application. Your local government clerk, will call you for training when your service is needed. Judges are trained and certified for two years. They may work at one or several elections during their term of service.
