Election Judges Needed for Chicago Polling Places on Nov. 4

Want to be an election judge in the upcoming Nov. 4 gubernatorial election?

Ald. Matt O’Shea can set up prospective election judges with an application to work a 19th Ward polling place on Election Day. City residents wishing to serve their neighborhoods can also apply online through the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners.

To qualify, election judges must be at least 18 years old and registered to vote in Cook County, a U.S. citizen and fluent in English. Bilingual judges in Spanish, Polish and Chinese are always needed.

College and high school students 18 and older can also apply to serve as election judges.

Applicants may NOT be currently serving as committeemen, precinct captains or candidates, and must agree not to serve as an election judge if they become one.

Those serving as election judges are also prohibited from serving if a person in their household becomes a candidate.

Illinois law requires that election judges represent either the Democratic or Republican party on Election Day. Five election judges are assigned to a precinct or polling place. Previous precinct election results determine if more Democratic or Republican judges serve in a precinct.

State law requires local party officials — township committeemen who represent the Democratic and Republican parties — to appoint and place election judges.

Election judges are expected to serve in all elections (usually three) within a two-year term. At the end of the two years, all election judges must be re-commissioned by the committeemen for another term.

Election day starts at 5 a.m. and judges work until the polls close, the results are transmitted and the voting equipment and materials have been packed away. They assist voters and ensure they have the information needed to successfully cast their ballots.

Election judges are paid $170 upon completion of a mandatory training class and election day service. Returning judges who take a refresher training class are paid an additional $25.

Those interested in becoming election judges in Chicago precincts can apply online at the Chicago Board of Elections website.

Or pick up an application from Ald. O’Shea at the 19th Ward service office located at 10400 S. Western Avenue, Chicago; shoot him an email at MattOshea@the19thward.com; or call his office at 773-238-8766.