Election judges are essential to our democracy. Election judges are officials that staff local polling places, administer election procedures, and ensure that the rights of voters are protected on Election Day. Serving as an election judge provides an opportunity to learn about the elections process and is a great service to our community.

Duties of an Election Judge

• Set up the polling place
• Operate voting equipment
• Direct voters to the correct line
• Register individuals to vote
• Ensure all qualified voters are permitted to vote
• Demonstrate how to vote
• Distribute ballots to voters
• Assist voters
• Close down polling place following voting
• Determine results after polls close
• Certify the polling place results

Required Qualifications to be an Election Judge

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

• 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 any candidate on the ballot in that precinct

Student Eligibility

• College students at least 18-years-old may serve as election judges
• High school students 16-years-old and older may serve as trainee election judges

Desired Qualifications of an Election Judge

• Ability to communicate clearly with voters
• Comfortable with assisting and serving a diverse population
• Ability to remain impartial and not exert influence over voters
• Physical and emotional stamina
• Attention to detail
• General math skills
• Fluency in a second language 

Time Off From Employment to Serve

You may take time off from work to be an election judge.

• You must give your employer at least 20 days written notice, and you must attach the hour/pay rate form you will receive from the township board or city council that appoints you to the notice.
• Your employer may reduce your salary/wages by the amount you are paid as an election judge during the time you are away from work.
• Your employer may restrict the number of its employees serving as election judges to no more than 20 percent at a single work site. 

Click here to print out the memorandum to employers explaining time off for employees to serve as an election judge.

Minnesota Statutes 204B.195

Becoming an Election Judge

You may become an election judge by pursuing one of the following options.

• Complete the election judge sign-up form included in the election judge brochure and mail it to your municipal clerk, county auditor, or county elections division. Use the Election Official Directory to find contact information for your county.
• Attend your political party’s precinct caucus and request to be on a list of volunteers to be an election judge.

All appointments are made by township boards, city councils, or county boards and occur at least 25 days before an election. In even years, most appointments will occur about three months before the primary. If appointed, you must attend training conducted by your municipal clerk or county auditor.

Serving as an Election Judge

• Election judges may be asked to serve in the precinct where they live or elsewhere in the county or state.
• Election judges are assigned to work with several other election judges in a polling place.
• Election judges may serve for the Primary and/or General Election day.  See Important Elections Dates to find the dates of future scheduled elections. 
• Election judges may be asked to serve during a special election.

Serve as an Election Judge Brochure