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Election Judge Information
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Interpreter judges needed
We have a high need for interpreter election judges in 2022.
Interpreter election judges may assist voters through the entire process in their shared language. We are currently in need for speakers of Hmong, Karen and Somali.
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- Qualifications to serve as an election judge
- Time commitment & time off to serve
- Election judge positions & pay
Qualifications to serve as an election judge
Election judge
- Eligible to vote in Minnesota:
- A U.S. citizen.
- At least 18 years old.
- A resident of Minnesota for 20 days.
- Finished with all parts of any felony sentence.
- Not under guardianship status in which a judge has specifically revoked your right to vote.
- At least 18 years of age (if you are 16 or 17 years old, see our section on student election judges).
- Able to read, write and speak English.
- Complete a two-hour training.
- Individuals applying to be election judges need to declare their party affiliation, if they are affiliated with a major political party in Minnesota. If individuals are not affiliated with a major political party, they must state that they are unaffiliated.
Student election judge
- U.S. citizen.
- Must be at least 16 years old.
- Able to read, write and speak English.
- Complete an application and permission form that is to be signed by their parents/guardians and their school’s principal.
- Complete a two-hour training.
Note: It is not required to provide proof of vaccination to serve as an election judge.
Time commitment & time off to serve
Primary and general election day
Election judges must complete a two-hour training – we offer online and in-person classes.
After training, election judges work the primary (August) and general election (November) or just the general election, depending on their availability and on staffing needs.
Time off to serve
To qualify, you must provide your employer with written notice of the date and hours you will be working and the pay rate you will receive at least 20 days in advance of the election.
Your employer may:
- Reduce your salary or wages by the amount you are paid as an election judge during the time you are away from work.
- Restrict the number of its employees serving as election judges to no more than 20 percent from a single work site.
Election judge positions & pay
Election judges are paid hourly for training and Election Day. If desired, election judges may choose to volunteer their time and not be paid for service. See more information regarding payment options or volunteer service below.
- Precinct judge - $16/hour
- Mobile judge - $18/hour
- Assistant head judge - $18/hour
- Registration specialist judge - $18/hour
- Interpreter judge - $20/hour
- Head judge - $20/hour
- Area judge - $20/hour
- Early voting judge - $22/hour
- Student judge - $16/hour