Become an Election Judge

Election judges play an important role in administering elections. The City of Lakeville welcomes inquiries from individuals who are interested in serving as election judges.

What Do Election Judges Do?

• Election judges are responsible for:
  • Opening and closing the polls
  • Setting up voting equipment
  • Registering and signing in voters
  • Distributing and collecting ballots
  • Helping voters requiring assistance
  • Recording and certifying vote totals

Requirements

• Must be eligible to vote in Minnesota
• Must be able to read, write and speak English
• Must complete mandatory election judge training
• Must not be the spouse, parent, stepparent, child, stepchild, sibling or stepsibling of any election judge serving in the same precinct or of any candidate in that election
• Must not live, either permanently or temporarily, with any candidate on the ballot at that election
• Must not be a candidate in the election

Find more information on becoming an election judge on the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website.

Election Judge Trainee (Student Election Judges)

• In addition to the above requirements, election judge trainees must be 16 years of age or older on Election Day
• Must be currently enrolled in a high school or homeschooled in Minnesota
• Must be in good academic standing
• Must obtain parent and school permission
• Must serve without a political party designation 

Time Commitment

• Work day:
  • Election judges work a full day, 6 a.m.–around 9 p.m.; some half day positions are available. 
  • By state law, student election judges cannot work past 10 p.m.
• Training:
  • Prior to serving, all election judges are required to complete a paid training that will be roughly two hours in length. There will be online and in-person options.

Pay

• Election judges are paid $13 per hour.
• Head judges are paid $15 per hour.
• Absentee voting judges are paid $14 per hour.
• All election workers must be paid via direct deposit and complete all required payroll documentation.
• Your employer is required to give you time off from work to be an election judge without a reduction in pay. To qualify, you must:
  • Notify your employer in writing at least 20 days in advance of Election Day.
  • Attach a copy of your schedule and pay rate form to your written notice. If you need a letter from us telling your employer you'll be working as an election judge, complete this online form to request it.
  • "Without a reduction in pay" means you get to earn at least the same amount you would have, had you gone to work that day. In practice, this means your employer can ask you to turn over the amount you earn as an election judge during hours you would have normally been scheduled to work, or your employer can deduct that amount from your normal pay.
  • You can voluntarily take a vacation day to be fully paid by your employer and receive the judge salary you earn as extra income. An employer cannot force you to take vacation or any other form of paid leave.
  • You can give your employer this memo to employers which explains your right to receive time off to serve as an election judge.

Application

If you are interested in serving as an election judge, complete this online application. If you have served as an election judge in the past and have not yet been contacted, please fill out a new application.

Questions

If you have additional questions, contact us by email at elections@lakevillemn.gov or call 952-985-4404.