Ways to Serve

Absentee Ballot Judges complete a variety of tasks, working closely with Washington County Elections Administration permanent staff. This role plays a critical part in the preparation, processing and reconciliation of Absentee Ballots as well as material preparation for Washington County Elections Administration programs.

Eligibility

• You must be eligible to vote in Minnesota.
• You must be at least 18 years old on Election Day.
• You must be able to read, write, and speak English.
• Must declare major party affiliation

Time Commitment

Up to 40 hours per week (subject to election cycle and office need)

Pay

$17.00 per hour 

Location(s)

Stillwater Government Center

Key Responsibilities

• Accurately sort, process, and verify absentee ballot materials in compliance with Minnesota statutes
• Enter data and manage large volumes of paperwork with precision and attention to detail
• Assist with preparing and testing election equipment and organizing Election Day supplies
• Process Absentee Ballot Applications using the Statewide Voter Registration System (SVRS)
• Respond to voter inquiries by phone and provide general support
• Work independently and collaboratively with election staff and other Absentee Ballot Judges

Preferred Skills

• Ability to work in a face-paced environment
• Strong customer service orientation with a professional and helpful demeanor
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to maintain an efficient workflow
• Experience working effectively in a team environment
• Ability to follow written instructions step-by-step accurately and efficiently
• Proficient in counting large volumes of materials

Training

All Election Judges must complete 2 hours of paid online training. Certification starts when you complete the training and ends on August 1^st of the following even year. All certifications to serve as an election judge run for a two-year cycle. In addition, on-the-job training will be provided pertaining specifically to the role.

Absentee Vote Center Staff are temporary county employees that administer in-person voting prior to Election Day. They provide election information to residents, complete data entry, issue absentee ballots, and ensure the chain of custody of all election materials. Absentee Vote Center Staff are key to fostering a safe, inclusive, and secure early voting experience.

Eligibility

• You must be eligible to vote in Minnesota
• You must be at least 18 years old on Election Day
• You must be able to read, write, and speak English

Time Commitment

2-4 days per week during the 46 days of absentee voting prior to each election. The number of shifts an Absentee Vote Center Staff member is assigned may vary depending on availability and county staffing needs.

Pay

$17.00 per hour

Location(s)

• Cottage Grove Service Center
• Headwaters Service Center (Forest Lake)
• Stillwater Government Center
• Central Service and License Center (Woodbury)

Key Responsibilities

• Assist voters in completing absentee ballot process 
• Greet voters and foster a welcoming environment
• Enter data from applications into Statewide Voter Registration System (SVRS)
• Provide general voting information, including voter registration process, polling places, resource referrals, and application completion
• Appropriately handle confidential information and voter private data

Preferred Skills

• Comfortable working in a structured and public environment
• Ability to follow written instructions step-by-step accurately and efficiently
• Work respectfully with other Vote Center Staff
• Provide excellent customer service and accurate information
• Communicate clearly with voters
• Enjoy assisting and serving diverse populations

Training

Vote Center Staff receive both in-person basic training and in-person hands on computer training prior to the opening of vote center operations. Additional on-the-job training and support is provided by Vote Center Lead Staff.

Ballot Board consists of Election Judges and Election Administrators that process and prepare returned Absentee Ballots for tabulation. The work involves opening Absentee Ballot envelopes and verifying quantities of Absentee Ballots. This position requires each judge to declare major party affiliation as they perform tasks requiring party balance.

Eligibility

• You must be eligible to vote in Minnesota.
• You must be at least 18 years old on Election Day.
• You must be able to read, write, and speak English.
• Must declare major party affiliation

Time Commitment

Ballot board takes place during the 18 days prior to election day. Ballot board typically convenes for 3-10 working days depending on absentee ballot volume and county need

Pay

$17.00 per hour 

Location(s)

Stillwater Government Center

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and verify Absentee Ballots for tabulation
• Accurately complete required logs and reports
• Notify county Election Administrators of discrepancies and assist with reconciliation
• Ensure processed ballots are not damaged and can be read by central ballot tabulator
• Organize large volume of materials, including envelopes, boxes, and office supplies

Preferred Skills

• Comfortable working in a structured and public environment
• Ability to follow written instructions step-by-step accurately and efficiently
• Be able to sit or stand for long periods of time
• Demonstrate accurate record keeping skills and reconcile data
• Proficient in counting large volume of materials
• Can remain unbiased while serving
• Can work respectfully with other Ballot Board members

Training

All Election Judges must complete 2 hours of paid online training. Certification starts when you complete the training and ends on August 1^st of the following even year. All certifications to serve as an election judge run for a two-year cycle. In addition, on-the-job training will be provided pertaining specifically to the Ballot Board process.

Election judges are temporary, paid officials who staff the polling places on Election Day. They are trained to handle all aspects of voting at the polling place and ensure that the rights of voters are protected.

Eligibility

• You must be eligible to vote in Minnesota.
• You must be able to read, write, and speak English.
• You must be at least 18 years old on Election Day.
  • Anyone who is 16-17 years old may serve as a Trainee Election Judge.

Restrictions:

• Candidates for office cannot be an election judge in a precinct where they appear on the ballot. This includes those who are actively campaigning as a write-in candidate. 
• A person who is a relative of a candidate for office cannot serve in a precinct where that candidate is on the ballot. Relatives include a spouse, parent, child, stepchild, brother, sister, stepbrother, or stepsister. 
• A person who temporarily or permanently lives in the same house as a candidate cannot serve in a precinct where that candidate is on the ballot. 
• Election judges who are relatives to each other cannot serve together in the same precinct during the same shift. Relatives include a spouse, parent, child, stepchild, brother, sister, stepbrother, or stepsister. Relatives can work separate, non-overlapping shifts in the same precinct. 
• A challenger appointed to contest voter eligibility cannot serve as an election judge. 

Related statutes or rules: M.S. 204B.19; 204C.07, subd. 4

Time Commitment

Election judges will serve at different times throughout the year, including:

1. Primary Election Day (the second Tuesday in August).
2. General Election Day (the first Tuesday in November).
3. Any special elections.

Election judges may serve all day or a partial day.

• From 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Election Judges must remain in the polling location until the election process is completed or are dismissed by their Head Judge
• Or, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Or, 1:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Election Judges must remain in the polling location until the election process is completed or are dismissed by their Head Judge

Pay

Election Judges hired by Washington County will be paid at the following rates (pay ranges are based on position held):

Head Judge - $17.00 per hour; Co-Head Judge - $15.00 per hour; Election Judge $13.00 per hour; Student Election Judge (ages 16 or 17) $13.00 per hour

Election Judges hired by their local jurisdiction will be paid at the rate set by that jurisdiction.

Location(s)

Washington County hires Election Judges for 53 precincts throughout the county for the jurisdictions of Birchwood, Cottage Grove, Forest Lake, Grant, Lakeland, Landfall, Mahtomedi, Newport, Oakdale, Pine Springs, St. Paul Park, Stillwater, and Woodbury.

Election judges for the following jurisdictions in Washington County are hired by the city clerk:

Afton, Bayport, Baytown Township, Dellwood, Denmark Township, Grey Cloud Island Township, Hugo, Lake Elmo, Lake St. Croix Beach, Lakeland Shores, Marine on St. Croix, May Township, Oak Park Heights, Scandia, St. Mary's Point, Stillwater Township, West Lakeland Township, Willernie

Key Responsibilities

At the polling place, there will be election judges serving in specific roles. 

1. Head Judge
   • Manages the polling place, assigns judges to specific tasks, resolves issues, completes forms, and returns materials on Election Night. 
2. Co-Head Judge
   • Assists the Head Judge in managing the polling place. 
3. Election Judges
   • Assist with general polling place duties as assigned by the Head Judge, including setup and closing. Judges may be assigned the following roles: 
     • A Greeter Judge greets voters, reviews greeter's list to determine if they are registered, verifies non-registered voters are in correct precinct, directs voters to Poll Pad table. 
     • A Poll Pad Judge signs in registered and non-registered voters and issues Voter Receipts. 
     • A Ballot & Demonstration Judge manages ballot inventory and hands out ballots to voters. 
     • An Equipment Judge monitors DS200 and OmniBallot to address errors and ensures the equipment is operational. 

Preferred Skills

• Provide excellent customer service and accurate information
• Communicate clearly with voters
• Maintain neutrality and impartiality in the polling place
• Enjoy assisting and serving diverse populations
• Be flexible to mentally and physically perform each task in the polling location
• Be able to sit or stand for long periods of time
• Handle stressful situations calmly and professionally
• Demonstrate accurate record keeping skills and reconcile data
• Read, write, and speak in the English language
• Work respectfully with other election judges

Training

All Election Judges must complete 2 hours of paid online training. Certification starts when you complete the training and ends on August 1^st of the following even year. All certifications to serve as an election judge run for a two-year cycle.

Head and Co-Head judges receive additional in-person training at the Stillwater Government Center prior to election day.

Election Judge Guide

2024 Election Judge Guide (PDF).

High school students have the unique opportunity to participate in the democratic process, earn valuable experience, and contribute to their community on Election Day. To qualify, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 16 years old on or before Election Day.
• Be in good academic standing at your school.
• Have permission from a parent/guardian and your school.
• Serve in the county or adjacent county where you reside.
• Not be related to another judge in the same precinct or candidate on the ballot.
• Read, write and speak English.

Please complete this application carefully and provide all required information.

Our equipment testing team is broken into two distinct roles: Preliminary Testing Judge and Public Accuracy Testing Judge.

Preliminary Testing and Public Accuracy Testing are required by law and are used to test all ballot tabulators and OmniBallots prior to voting to ensure they properly read and tabulate ballots. Both tests require certification of an errorless test.

Eligibility

1. Preliminary Testing Judge:
   
2. Public Accuracy Testing Judge:
   • must be eligible to vote in Minnesota.
   • must be at least 18 years old on Election Day.
   • must be able to read, write, and speak English.
   • must declare major party affiliation

Time Commitment

Preliminary Testing Judge time commitment varies depending on the election cycle but can range from 1-3 weeks. Public Accuracy Testing Judge is a one half to one day commitment during each election cycle.

Pay

$13.00 - $17.00 per hour 

Location(s)

Stillwater Government Center

Key Responsibilities

Preliminary Testing Judge

• Accurately test precinct tabulators per instruction
• Accurately test assistive voting devices per instructions
• Organize packets of test ballots
• Create test ballots using an assistive voting device and by hand per instructions
• Accurately produce and proof test results
• Complete logs and checklists throughout the testing process

Public Accuracy Testing Judge

• Prepare and keep organized testing stations
• Accurately test precinct tabulators per instruction
• Work with and maintain pre-made test ballots for each precinct tested
• Accurately produce and proof test results
• Secure all testing materials in provided containers
• Complete logs and checklists throughout the testing process, including documentation required by law

Preferred Skills

• Ability to sit or stand for long periods of time
• Ability to lift approximately 15 – 20 lbs.
• Ability to follow written instructions step-by-step independently and accurately
• Understands and is comfortable with technology, such as touch screen devices
• Can assemble technological components such as connecting cords with instruction
• Can work independently
• Has good verbal and written communication
• Can remain unbiased while serving
• Comfortable working in a structured and public environment

Training

Public Accuracy Testing judges must complete 2 hours of paid online Election Judge training. On-the-job training for both Public Accuracy Testing and Preliminary Testing Judges will be provided.

Minnesota election law (MS 203B.11) provides several processes for hospital patients, residents of health care facilities, and others who have difficulty getting to the polls to receive and absentee ballot. One of these processes is Healthcare Facility voting. Washington County serves 8 eligible facilities throughout the county. Healthcare Facility Judges travel to their assigned facility to administer the absentee ballots to residents.

Eligibility

• must be eligible to vote in Minnesota.
• must be at least 18 years old on Election Day.
• must be able to read, write, and speak English.
• must declare major party affiliation

Restrictions

Election judges who are relatives to each other cannot serve together in the same precinct during the same shift. Relatives include a spouse, parent, child, stepchild, brother, sister, stepbrother or stepsister. Relatives can work separate, non-overlapping shifts in the same precinct.

Time Commitment

Several hours for each facility you are assigned to serve. Healthcare Facility voting takes place 2-3 weeks before election day with 1-2 facilities being served each day during the healthcare voting week.

Pay

$13.00 - $17.00 per hour 

Location(s)

Washington County serves 8 healthcare facilities throughout the county. Healthcare Facility Judges start at the Stillwater Government Center to pick up materials before deploying to their assigned facility.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide eligible residents AB applications, Voter Registration Applications, and ballots
• Assist voters with ballot marking, ballot demonstration, and answering questions
• Securely transport voted and unvoted ballots to and from Washington County

Preferred Skills

• Provide excellent customer service and accurate information.
• Communicate clearly with voters.
• Maintain neutrality and impartiality
• Enjoy assisting and serving diverse populations.
• Can remain unbiased while serving
• Handle stressful situations calmly and professionally.
• Demonstrate accurate record keeping skills and reconcile data.
• Work respectfully with other Healthcare Facility Election Judges.

Training

2-hour election judge online training plus one hour of additional online healthcare judge training. Certification starts when you complete the training and ends on August 1^st of the following even year. All certifications to serve as an election judge run for a two-year cycle.