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Election Judges

There is no better way to learn about the election process than working as an election judge while serving your community.

Required qualifications

To be an election judge you must meet all of the following qualifications:

  • You must be a U.S. citizen
  • You must be eligible to vote in Minnesota
  • You must be able to read, write and speak English
  • You cannot be a spouse, parent, child, or sibling of any election judge serving in the same precinct at the same time
  • You cannot be a candidate or the spouse, parent, child, or sibling of a candidate on the ballot in that precinct
  • Must attend the 3-hour paid training session

Desired qualifications

  • Communicate clearly with voters
  • Enjoy assisting and serving diverse populations
  • Be flexible with hours on one or both of the election dates
  • Handle stressful situations calmly
  • Demonstrate attention to detail
  • Have excellent math skills
  • Experience using a tablet or computer
  • Speak a second language

Trainees

High school student age 16 and 17 can work as a Election Judge Trainee.

They must:

  • Be a U.S. citizen
  • Be at least 16 years old
  • Serve in the county where they live
  • Be enrolled in a high school or home schooled in Minnesota
  • Be in good academic standing
  • Have permission from their school and parents

Time off to serve

If you are appointed to serve as an election judge, state law allows you to be absent from work without penalty if you give your employer at least 20 days written notice.

Your employer may reduce your salary or wages by the amount you will receive for serving as an election judge. Additionally, your employer may restrict the number of employees who are serving as election judges to no more than 20 percent of the total work force at any single work site.

The city clerk will provide certification upon request that details your hourly pay as well as the hours you will serve.

Training

Training is mandatory. The City of Brooklyn Park will provide a 3-hour paid training session before the primary and general elections. The training will be held in July, exact date is yet to bet determined.

Work hours

You can work either the primary or general election or both.

Full day: 6 a.m. to closing
Half day: 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. or 2 p.m. to closing

Duties on Election Day

  • Open and set up the polling place with posters, tables, chairs, directional signs, ballots, rosters, etc.
  • Prepare the voting equipment for voting
  • Determine if voters are in the correct precinct
  • Greet voters
  • Direct voters to proper areas
  • Sign in pre-registered voters
  • Assist in registering new voters
  • Demonstrate to voters how to complete the ballot
  • Distribute ballots to voters
  • Assist voters in the polling place when necessary
  • Answer question on the voting process
  • Record and certify vote totals
  • Close polling place
  • Assist other judges with the summary results after the polls are closed

Other duties

Election judges may be asked to perform to:

  • Assist with the absentee voting process
  • Assist with recounts

Sign up to become an election judge

We are currently accepting applications for the March, August and November 2024 elections.

Complete the election judge registration to start the application process.

Phone and email

Devin Montero
763-493-8180
Devin.Montero@brooklynpark.org