The City of St. Joseph is seeking individuals interested in serving as election judges. Election judges are temporary, paid employees trained to oversee voting and assist voters at the polling places. No experience is necessary, but those with prior election judge training are highly encouraged to apply. Judges will receive 2-3 hours of training and are certified for two years.

Election Judge Requirements

You must be:

• At least 18 years old
• Minnesota resident for at least 20 days
• Citizen of the United States (Identification may be required)
• Able to read, write and speak the English language
• Eligible to vote and reside in the state
• Able to attend training sessions (every 2 years)

You cannot be:

• Related to another election judge in the same precinct and work at the same time
• A candidate’s spouse, parent, step-parent, child, step-child, brother or sister, or live in the same household as a candidate
• A candidate for the election in which you are serving

Party Balance requirement: No more than half of the election judges in a precinct may be members of the same major political party unless the election board consists of an odd number of election judges, in which case the number of election judges who are members of the same major political party may be one more than half the number of election judges in the precinct. (Minn. Statute on Election Judges)

Payment of Services

• Election judges are paid $14.00/hour, including all training
• Head Election judges are paid $15.00/hour, including all training
• If you would like to volunteer your time, please let staff know
• Employers of election judges must provide time off from work. The employee is required to provide their employer with a written notice 20-days in advance. The Clerk will provide the notice upon request.

Types of Election Judge Duties

• Head Judge - in charge of the polling place
• Greeter Judge - directs traffic flow and maintains order
• Roster Judge - Signs in both registered voters and those that need to register to vote
• Demonstration Judge - Explains how to mark a ballot
• Ballot Judge - Gives ballots to voters
• Ballot Counter Judge - Oversees the ballot box area and gives out "I VOTED" stickers