Election judges help to guarantee that voter rights are protected during an election. 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 information discusses the qualifications necessary to become an election judge, and some of their important duties and responsibilities, as well as how to become 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 Montgomery County public, community college or private secondary school. (High school Juniors/seniors must have Parental/Principal consent to be assigned as an Election Judge.)
- 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.
Yes, there is training and you are paid for training.
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 (217) 532-9530.
Judges who have not attended training earn $165.00 for each election served. Judges who maintain a trained status (each election) receive $185.00. Additional pay can be earned for taking on extra responsibilities before and on Election Day. Election judges DO NOT receive W-2 forms for income tax purposes. (See Pay Rate Schedule below.)
| Base Pay |
$165.00 |
Judges Who Maintain "Trained" status
(each election) |
$20.00 |
| Mileage to training, pickup & return of ballots |
.585/mile |
| Ballot Pick Up Judge |
$6.00 |
| Ballot Return Driver |
$6.00 |
| Ballot Return Passenger |
$4.00 |
| Nursing home voting before Election Day** |
$65.00 |
** Nursing home judges must also serve Election Day
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.
In the spring of even-numbered years, the County Board approves election judges from certified lists furnished by the Montgomery County Central Committee Chairman for each party. All judges are designated as either Regular or Alternate. For each precinct, three judges are appointed from one party and two from the another.
In Montgomery 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 elections 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.
All Regular judges who indicate availability to their respective party representative before each election within the availability deadline will receive a scheduling notice from the Montgomery County Clerk to attend training and serve as an Election Judge. When Regular judges are not available to serve, Alternate judges who are available are scheduled to serve.
In each precinct, all judges are encouraged to be certified as having satisfactorily completed a training course for judges of election within the past six months. This required course covers the duties and responsibilities of election judges and knowledge of election laws governing the operation of the polling place.
Call (217) 532-9530.
