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Become an Election Judge or Worker

Become an Election Judge
Become an Election Judge

Election Judges

Election Judges play a vital role in the election process.  Election Judges are responsible for the administration of election procedures in the polling place on Election Day.  They ensure that the election process is administered fairly and in accordance with the law.   

Polling places are staffed with a bipartisan team of Election Judges.  Each location will be staffed with approximately ten Election Judges.  

Election Judge Qualifications

All persons serving as an Election Judge must meet the following criteria. 

  • A citizen of the United States and entitled to vote at the next election.
  • A registered voter in DuPage County.
  • Be of good repute and character and not subject to the registration requirement of the Sex Offender Registration Act (730 ILCS 150/1)
  • Able to speak, read, and write the English language.
  • Skilled in the four fundamental rules of arithmetic.
  • Be of good understanding and capable.
  • Not be a candidate for any office at the election. 

Requirements

  • Declare your political party affiliation as Democrat or Republican.  
  • Be able to lift 30 LBS.
  • Be able to operate voting equipment. (Tablet, printers, scanner, etc.)  
  • Be able to stand for moderate periods of time.
  • Be able to rotate through various positions on election day.  
  • Attend an in-person equipment training class.
  • Complete the online training course and pass a quiz.  
  • Attend polling place setup the night before the election. (Approximately 2 hours)
  • Arrive by 5:00 AM sharp on election day to serve in your appointed polling place.  
  • Remain at the polling place for the entire day.  
  • Remain at the polling place until all forms, certificates, and affidavits are completed and signed, and all equipment and election materials are packed and secured for post-election pickup. 

Duties

Election Judge duties include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Setup polling place the night before Election Day.  (Approximately 2 hours)
  • Open and Close polls.
  • Check in voters.
  • Issue correct ballot to voters.
  • Ensure only qualified voters are permitted to vote, and that each qualified voter only votes once, and that all votes are cast in secret.
  • Oversee the voting process.
  • Give instructions on the method of voting when requested by a voter.
  • Provide assistance to voters when required.
  • Maintain security of all election materials.
  • Maintain order in the polling place throughout the day.
  • Read, complete, and sign all election forms, certificates, and affidavits according to instructions.  
    Pack and secure equipment for post-election pickup.
  • Return supplies – Two judges, one from each party, are required to return supplies to the Election Division Office on election night after the polls close.  (Additional pay $30/each judge)

Schedule and Meal Breaks

  • Monday Night Before Election:   ALL Election Judges must participate in polling place setup.  The Pickup Judge will determine the setup time and communicate accordingly to election judges serving at their assigned polling place.  Setup will take approximately 2 hours.
  • Tuesday, Election Day:    ALL Election Judges should arrive at their scheduled polling place by 5:00 AM sharp and work until approximately 8:30 PM to close the polls.
  • Election Judges are responsible for the security and chain of custody of election materials. Therefore, Election Judges are required to remain at their polling place for the entire day.
  • Election Judges should plan on bringing beverages, snacks, and meals on Election Day.   Meals and cell phone breaks must be taken away from the election equipment/workstations.   

Election Judge Pay

  • $250 Flat rate.
  • Supply Pickup (1-Pickup Judge) additional $30.
  • Supply Return (Bipartisan team of 2 judges) additional $30/each judge.
  • Social Security number is required to issue a paycheck.
  • Paychecks will be mailed 6 – 8 weeks after election day. 

What to Expect After Submitting Your Application

  1. The Election Division will confirm receipt of your application via email.
  2. Applications received between April - November 2023, will be held for the March 19, 2024, election.  
  3. In November 2023 an email will be sent requesting applicants to confirm availability and sign up for in-person training.
  4. Once you have requested in-person training you will be: 
    • Setup as an Election Judge.
    • Scheduled in an in-person training class.  
    • Emailed a link to the online training course.
    • Notified of your assigned polling place.
    • Provided Pickup Judge contact information.  The Pickup Judge will call or text you approximately 2 weeks prior to the election for a final confirmation of your assignment. They will also let you know what time to arrive on Monday night for polling place setup.
    • Mailed a letter to your home 3 – 4 weeks prior to the election confirming your election day assignment. 

Note: Depending on interest and availability, there could be an overage of judges in one polling place, and not enough in another.  As schedulers balance the Election Judge staff, you may be asked to serve in an alternate polling place. 

Submit an Election Judge Application  ** NEW ELECTION JUDGES ONLY
College Student Election Judge

Illinois statute 10 ILCS 5/13-4 permits a person who is not entitled to vote in that precinct or county to be appointed as an election judge if, as of the date of the election the following criteria is met. 

  1. a U.S. citizen;
  2. currently enrolled in a community college, or a public or private Illinois university or college
  3. have a cumulative grade point average equivalent to at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale;
  4. have satisfactorily completed the training course for Judges of Election. 

For more information regarding Election Judge duties, pay, and more. see Become an Election Judge at the top of this page.   For questions email: studentjudges@dupagecounty.gov

Submit a College Election Judge Application

High School Student Election Judge

Illinois statute 10 ILCS 5/13-4 provides the opportunity for high school juniors and seniors who are not otherwise entitled to vote to be appointed as Election Judges if they live in DuPage County and meet the appropriate criteria. 

The DuPage County Clerk’s Office partners with more than 30 high schools across DuPage County to involve students in the electoral process.  Over 450 high school students serve as election judges each year. 

Qualifications, requirements, and election judge duties are outlined in the Application and Nomination Form below.       

Students should check with their Social Studies Chairperson or Teacher to apply via their high school.   Or fill out the Student Judge Application and Nomination Form below, scan and email it to: studentjudges@dupagecounty.gov.  

Student Judge Application (PDF)

Current Election Judge Information

Election Judges who served in at least one election since April 2021, will automatically receive an invitation to serve in the March 19, 2024, election.  Training class schedules and Availability to Work (ATW) surveys will be emailed to current judges in November 2023.   

Become an Election Worker
Become an Election Worker

Election Worker positions assist the Election Division in carrying out various functions necessary to conduct an Election in DuPage County.

2023 Summer Temp Warehouse Laborer Opportunity
Application for Employment

Check-In Clerk

The chief function of the check-in clerk on Election Night is to receive from the Election Judges all required election supplies designated by the DuPage County Election Division.

Teams of check-in clerks are needed at the Receiving Center located at the DuPage County Complex.

  • Pay: $75.00 for the night
  • Hours: Election Day approximately 6:30 p.m.- 11:00 p.m.

Field Representative

Field Representatives are trained personnel who serve as a link between the Election Division and the Election Judges by visiting assigned Polling Places lending support on Election Day.

  • Must have worked as a Judge of Election for a minimum of four (4) Elections
  • Pay: $350.00 plus mileage for Election Day
  • Hours: Election Day starting at 5:00 am until approximately 9:00 pm

Production Laborer

Production Laborers prepare the supplies necessary for Election Judges to perform the duties on Election Day.

  • Pay: $18.00/hour
  • Hours: Multiple days, hours pending completion

Student Worker

Student workers assist the Election Judges when returning election supplies at the Receiving Center.

Student workers must be at least 14 years old, have a Social Security number, along with one other form of identification, in order to work on Election Night.

  • Pay: Minimum wage at current Federal or State standard (whichever is higher)
  • Hours: Election Night approximately 6:30 pm - 10:00 pm 

Election Day Runner

Election Day Runners deliver needed supplies to various voting facilities throughout the Election Day. Runners must have reliable transportation and proof of valid auto insurance.

  • Pay: $15.00/hour plus mileage ($0.625/mile)
  • Hours: Election Day approximately 6:00 am - 7:00 pm 

Election Worker Interest Form

Submit an Election Worker Interest Form

For more information in regards to positions email: Administration

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