Become an Election Judge

Election judges are temporary, paid employees of local election officials trained to handle all aspects of voting at the polling place. Serving as an election judge is a chance to learn about elections, and is a great service to the community. 

How do I become an election judge?

Election judges are appointed by the cities and townships where they serve.  Contact the Clerk of the City or Town where you would like to serve as an election judge to apply. 

Town:

Township Clerk Contact Information

City:

Qualifications for becoming an election judge:

• You must be eligible to vote in Minnesota and able to read, write and speak English. 
• Students 16 and 17 years-old can be election judge trainees.
• There are restrictions on having relatives serve together as election judges. A relative is defined as a spouse, parent, stepparent, child, stepchild, sibling, or stepsibling.
• Relatives cannot serve together in the same precinct at the same time. 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.

If selected by the city or township to serve as an election judge; you will attend a 2-hour training session given by the Benton County Auditor-Treasurer's office once every two years.

Click here for additional election judge information on the Minnesota Secretary of State's Website.