Election Judges

Election judges play an important role in administering elections by ensuring the constitutional rights of voters are protected. Serving as an election judge is an opportunity to learn more about election processes and to provide a great service to the community.

State required qualifications

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

• Be a U.S. Citizen
• Eligible to vote in Minnesota
• Able to read, write, and speak English
• Cannot be a spouse, parent, child, or sibling of any election judge serving in the same precinct at the same time
• Cannot be a candidate or the spouse, parent, child, stepchild, sibling, or stepsibling of a candidate on the ballot in that precinct
• Must attend paid training session

City of Bloomington desired qualifications

• Communicate clearly with voters
• Enjoy assisting and serving diverse populations
• Experience using a tablet or iPad
• Demonstrate attention to detail
• Have excellent math skills
• Speak a second language

Time Off Work 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 have given your employer at least 20 days-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.

Training Required

Training is mandatory.  The City of Bloomington will provide paid training (Regular Election Judge Training and Poll Book Training) prior to each election.  Head Judges and Assistant Head Judges receive additional training.