Election Judges
Thank you for your interest in becoming an election judge. Election judges help to guarantee the rights of voters are protected at the polling places on Election Day. Election judges are commissioned as officers of the Circuit court and must take an oath to uphold the constitutions of the United States and the State of Illinois in the performance of their duties. Election judges ensure every American qualified to vote is allowed to vote and every American allowed to vote is qualified to vote only once. The following points out the qualifications necessary to become an election judge, also some of their important duties and responsibilities.
Sincerely,
Amanda Barnes, Williamson County Clerk
Election Judge FAQ
How do I qualify to be an Election Judge?
To be an Election Judge you must be:
- A citizen of the United States and entitled to vote at the next election or be a high school junior/senior in good standing
- A resident of Williamson County and a registered voter
- Of good repute and character
- Able to speak, read and write the English
- Skilled in the four fundamental rules (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) of arithmetic
- Of good understanding and capable to perform his/her duties
- Neither a candidate for any office at the election nor a precinct committeeman
Is there training for being an election judge?
Training is offered before each election. Election judges have many responsibilities and perform several tasks on Election Day, including:
- Opening the polling place in the morning and closing it at night
- Setting up election equipment
- Providing assistance to voters
- Signing in voters
- Verifying voter qualifications
- Distributing ballots
- Operating voting equipment
- Filling out forms
- Processing and transmitting votes at the end of the day
- Certifying vote totals
Are election judges paid?
Trained Election Judges receive up to $150 for the day.
Hours:
Judges work long hours, arriving at the polling place at 5 a.m. and working until the equipment is packed up after the polls close at 7 p.m. Judges are required to work the entire day.
How are election judges selected?
In the spring of even-numbered years, the County Board approves judges from certified lists furnished by the Williamson County Central Committee Chairman for each party. All judges are designated as either Regular or Alternate. For each polling place three judges are appointed from one party and two from the other.
In Williamson County, which is under the jurisdiction of the County Clerk, the party which casts the highest average number of votes in the three most recent gubernatorial election in the precinct shall be represented by three judges; the party which cast the second highest number of votes at the three most recent gubernatorial elections in the precinct shall be represented by two judges. After selections are made, the lists are submitted to the Circuit Court for comment. If no objections are filed, an application is made for their commissioning to serve as an election judge for a two year term.
How will I know if I am to serve?
Judges are sent a letter prior to each election to see if they are available to work.
For more information, or to become an election judge please call Jessica at (618) 998-2112 or via e-mail at jholmes@williamsoncountyil.gov.