Election Judge
Note from Debbie Ming-Mendoza,
Thank you for your interest in becoming an election judge. Election judges help to guarantee the rights of voters are protected at the early vote centers, and the polling places on Election Day. Election judges are commissioned as officer 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, and how to become an election judge.
Sincerely,
Debbie Ming-Mendoza
Madison County Clerk
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 or a student enrolled in a Madison County public, community college or private secondary school.
- Of good repute and character.
- Able to speak, read and write the English language.
- 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 an elected precinct committeeman.
- Residing and be registered to vote in the precinct where selected to serve as judge.
Is there training for being an election judge?
Yes, there is training and you are paid for training. Training is offered at several convenient locations throughout Madison county.
Training is valid for a two-year period. It provides an overview of the legal and procedural requirements, as well as hands-on experience processing a voter. Registration is required. Call 618-692-6290.
Are Election Judges Paid?
Judges who have not attended training earn $100.00 for each election served. Judges who maintain a trained status (every two years) receive $150.00. Additional pay can be earned for taking on extra responsibilities before and on Election Day. (See Pay Rate Schedule below.) Election judges DO NOT receive W-2 forms for income tax purposes.
Pay Rate Schedule for Madison County Election Judges
| Base Pay | $100.00 |
| Attendance at Pre-Election Briefing | $25.00 |
| On-Line Training or Certification (every two years) | $25.00 |
| Judge serving out of township (if needed) | Mileage |
| Nursing home voting before Election Day** | $35.00 |
** Nursing home judges must also serve Election Day
What About Party Affiliation?
Election judges at each voting site represent the two major political parties. When five judges are required, three persons of the same political party serve. When three election judges are required, only two of the same political party serve.
How Are Election Judges Selected?
In the spring of even-numbered years, the County Board approves election judges from certified lists furnished by the Madison 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 another.
In Madison 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 election 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 two year term.
How Will I Know If I Am to Serve?
All Regular judges who indicate availability for an election within the availability deadline, receive a scheduling notice from the Madison County Clerk's Elections Department. This mailing lists the name and address of the voting site where they are to serve. When Regular judges are not available to serve, Alternate judges who are available are scheduled to serve.
How are election judges trained?
In each precinct, at least one judge representing each political party must be certified as having satisfactorily completed a training course and examination for judges of election within the past six months. This required course covers the duties and responsibilities of election judges and consists of at least four hours of instruction and examination which tests reading skills, ability to works with poll lists, ability to add, and knowledge of election laws governing the operation of the polling place.
Please call (618) 692-6290 to become an Election Judge.
