Election Judge Duties:
- Open and close the polls. Full days are desired, but we will take as many judges as possible.
- Take responsibility for all election materials
- Ensure qualified voters are permitted to vote only once
- Distribute ballots
- Help voters requiring assistance
- Maintain order in the voting place throughout the day
- Register new voters at the polling site
- Obtain the results after the polls are closed
- Certify the precinct election results
- Return supplies to Dayton City Hall
Eligibility Requirements:
- You must be at least 18 years of age, a resident of Minnesota for at least 20 days, and a citizen of the United States. (Student judges must be 16 or 17 years old to be an election judge trainee.)
- You cannot be the husband, wife, parent, child, brother, or sister of a candidate or be related to another election judge in the same precinct.
- You cannot be a candidate for the election in which you are serving as a judge.
- You cannot be a judge unless you can read, write, and speak the English language understandably.
- Ability to take time off from work to serve. Minnesota law allows you to be absent from work without penalty or loss of wages to serve as an election judge. Employer certifications can be provided to show that you are serving as an election judge
Pay:
- Election judges are paid $16/hour
- Head judges are paid $18/hour
- Absentee Election Judges are paid $20/hour
Time Commitment:
- You must attend a required training that will be roughly two hours in length. Many classes are in the evenings.
- Work days are the primary and general elections. A smaller workforce is usually needed for the primary. In some cases, you can ask to only work the general election in November.
- A typical schedule on Election Day is from 6:00 a.m. to around 9:00 p.m. In some cases, you can ask to work a half-day.
Right to time off from work to serve:
- 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:
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- 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. The schedule and pay rate will be provided by the jurisdiction that hires you as an election judge.
- “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.
High school student trainees:
- 16 and 17-year-old students can work as election judge trainees, receive training, and be paid for their work. It’s a great way to learn about elections and voting, and earn cash at the same time!
- You cannot be asked to work past 10:00 p.m. You will be assigned the same duties as other judges, with the exception of tasks requiring party affiliation. You will need to attend and complete the same training as other judges.
- To qualify, you must be 16 or 17 on or before Election Day, be a U.S. citizen in good academic standing at a Minnesota high school (or home schooled), and get permission from your parents and your school.
How to Apply:
If you are interested in being an election judge, please complete application HERE and return to Amy Benting, Assistant City Administrator/City Clerk at abenting@cityofdaytonmn.com
2024 Election Judge Application