Politics & Government
Cook Co. Sees Shortage In Election Judges
The clerk's office is seeking additional help as the election nears. Some pollworkers are declining to work due to COVID-19 fears.
COOK COUNTY, IL — The Cook County Clerk's Office is looking for election judges to work on Election Day this Tuesday, according to a news release from the clerk's office. The need for election judges for the upcoming primary is mainly for north and northwest Cook County, including Orland, Lyons, Leyden, Maine, Elk Grove, Wheeling, Schaumburg and Northfield townships.
The clerk's office is concerned over no-shows on Election Day, which is common, and also has had some pollworkers decline to work on Tuesday due to concerns over COVID-19. Every one of suburban Cook County’s 1,599 precincts have multiple Election Judges already assigned – the clerk’s office is looking to beef up the ranks to ensure each precinct has a full team.
“With approximately 8,000 pollworkers to staff some 1,600 precincts, there will always be Election Day no-shows,” Yarbrough said. “We can’t predict how many will not show up, but we’re working to guard against this unpredictability by making sure each precinct has a full team of Election Judges.”
Find out what's happening in Arlington Heightsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Pollworkers can come from any part of suburban Cook County but those who apply this week should know that on Election Day they would be working in one of these areas, according to a news release. Election Judges work together to ensure their polling place is running smoothly and voters are properly served and are paid $200.
The clerk's office is seeking additional election judge and has no need for polling place technicians, according to the news release. Interested registered voters must apply online and attend a mandatory training class to be an Election Judge.
Find out what's happening in Arlington Heightsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The application process will be open through Friday, March 13. The Clerk’s Office will have two training sessions on Friday – at 1 and 6 p.m.– at the Election Operations Center in Cicero. Seats are limited, so those interested are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible.
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