Election Judges
Duties and Responsibilities:
Election Judges help to guarantee that the rights
of voters are protected on election day. This fact sheet points out the qualifications
necessary to become an election judge and also some of their important duties and responsibilities.
What are judges of election?
Judges of election are responsible for the administration
of election procedures in the polling place on election day. They are in the position
of ensuring that the election process is administered fairly and in accordance with the
law.
What are the qualifications necessary to be an election judge?
You must be a citizen of the United States
You must be of good repute and character
You must be able to speak, read and write the English language
You must be skilled in the four fundamental rules of mathematics
You must be of good understanding and capable; not be a candidate for any office in the election and
not be elected committeeman; and reside and be entitled to vote in the precinct where selected to
serve as judge.
However, in each precinct one judge of each party may be appointed from outside the precinct, but from
within the county. All judges must be electors within the county.
How are judges selected?
In national state, county, township and municipal elections, judges of election are selected by the county
board, or if appropriate, the board of election commissioners, from lists furnished by the chairmen of
the county central committees of the two leading political parties.
For each polling place three judges are appointed from one party and two from another.
In precincts under the jurisdiction of the county clerk, the party which cast the highest average number
of votes at the most recent three gubernatorial elections in the precinct shall be represented by three
judges; the party which cast the second highest number of votes at the three most recent gubernatorial
elections in the precinct shall be represented by two judges.
Under the jurisdiction of the board of election commissioners, the two leading political parties alternate
having majority representation.
One party is represented by three judges of election in each of the odd-numbered precincts and by two
judges of election in each of the even-numbered precincts; the other party is represented by three judges
in each of the even-numbered precincts and by two judges in each of the odd-numbered precincts.
After selections are made, a report is filed in the circuit court and application is made for their
confirmation and appointment by the circuit court.
How are election judges trained?
In each precinct at least one judge representing each political party must be certified as having
satisfactorily completed, within the preceding six months, a training course and examination for
judges of election.
This required course covers the duties and responsibilities of election judges and consists of at least
four hours of instruction and examination which tests reading skills, ability to work with poll lists,
ability
to add and knowledge of election laws governing the operation of polling places.
How may I become an election judge?
Contact Wheeling Township Democratic Committeeman Patrick Botterman and express your interest in serving
as a Judge of Election.
What are some of the duties of the judges of election?
To open and close the polls
To be responsible for all election materials
To ensure that only qualified voters are permitted
To vote and that each qualified voter is permitted
To vote once and only once to ensure that all votes are cast in secret to give instructions in the method
of voting when requested by a voter To give assistance to illiterate and physically disabled voters to
maintain order in the polling place throughout the day
To tally the vote after the polls are closed
To certify the election results in that precinct
Do you want to be an Election Judge?
Election judges' work in the polling places on Election Day is absolutely critical. They greet voters,
check registrations, supervise the voting and count the votes at the end of the day. In short; they are
responsible for running the election
Some details include:
An election judge receives a $100.00 stipend,
with additional $50.00 for completing a training course.
Elections Judges work from 5:30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. on Election Day.
Each precinct polling place is staffed with five election judges.
Serving as an election judge is a wonderful
opportunity to meet people in your community, help ensure the viability of the democratic
process, and make a little extra money. Under state law, the Wheeling Township Democratic
Committeeman appoints election judges to represent the Democratic Party in the polling
placeon Election Day. Become a part of what keeps our country and our community great!
Sign Up Today!
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