Become an Election Judge
Party Affiliation
State law requires that election judges represent either the Democratic or Republican Party. Three judges are assigned to each precinct – One of one party and Two of the other. If there are more judges available for a precinct than needed, some will serve as alternate judges or may be assigned to precincts other than their own where vacancies exist. Our goal is to have a full staff of judges from each precinct.
Election Judge Appointment and Placement
Election judges are selected by the Election Commission after appointment by the Democratic or Republican Party Chairman. Registered voters may contact their precinct committeeperson or local party chairman if they are interested in serving as an election judge, or call the Election Commission office. If the County parties are unable to come up with judge candidates, the Commission may run an ad in the local newspaper, or accept candidates from the application attached to the voter card that have been returned.
The number of Democratic or Republican judges is determined by the parties represented on the Board of Election Commissioners. The party which holds the majority on the Board receives 2 judges in the even-numbered precincts and 1 judge in the odd-number precincts. The party holding the minority on the board receives 1 judge in the even-numbered precincts and 2 judges in the odd-numbered precincts. If the make-up of the board changes the make-up of the 3 judges in each precinct would then change. (10 ILCS5/14-4)
Once selections are made, the list is filed in the Circuit Court and approved by the chief judge if there are no objections to any judge on the list.
Length of Term
Election Judges are expected to work all elections within a two-year term of office (three or four). At the end of the term, the judges will be recertified for another term of office. If for any reason a judge is unable to work an election or does not wish to continue as a judge, the Election Commission should be notified as soon as possible.
Become Involved!
Download, fill out and return this Election Judge Application to
Danville Election Commission
201 N Vermilion – Lower Level
Danville, IL 61832
or e-mail to: sdelhaye@vercountyil.gov
Training Materials
Below are 2 Election Judge pdf training documents to get started!
Student Election Judges
Student election judges play a crucial role by serving as the gatekeepers of democracy.
If you’re a high school junior or senior, you may apply to serve as a student election judge even though you’re not old enough to vote.
Responsibilities
Student judges share the same responsibilities, hold the same authority and perform the same tasks as other election judges. Those tasks include:
- 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/activation cards for touch-screen machines
- Operating voting equipment
- Filling out forms
- Processing and transmitting votes at the end of the day
- Certifying vote totals
Eligibility (ILCS 5/13-4)
To be eligible to serve as a student election judge, you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen by the time of the election
- Be a high school junior or senior in good standing enrolled in a public or a private secondary school
- Maintain at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Successfully complete an election judge training course conducted by the Danville Election Commission office
- Have written approval by your high school principal
- Have written approval from a parent or legal guardian
Hours
Judges work long hours, arriving at the polling place at 5:00 am and working until the equipment is packed up after the polls close at 7:00 pm.