With recent conspiracies about election fraud in the 2020 presidential election, the time has never been more relevant to consider being an election judge (a.k.a. “poll worker”) in the next election.

If you are over 18, can read, write, and speak English, you are qualified to become an election judge in Minnesota–and you’ll get paid for it. Even if you are 16 or 17 years old, you can still apply to become an election judge trainee. There are a few restrictions, but they pertain only to relatives working at the same time in the same precinct, or to someone who is a candidate serving as an election judge in the district in which they are running.

College students make ideal election judges, because the job requires attention to detail, the ability to explain processes to voters, stamina, and a cheerful and welcoming personality. The average age of election judges in Minnesota is over 65 and increasing–young election judges are definitely needed and are much appreciated.

In regards to conspiracies mentioned in the beginning paragraph, there was an election judge in Philadelphia who was convicted of conspiring to violate civil rights and bribery. His name was Domenick J. Demuro. He was a 73-year-old man who pleaded guilty in 2020 because he “accepted bribes in the form of money and other things of value in exchange for adding ballots to increase the vote totals for certain candidates on the voting machines in his jurisdiction and for certifying tallies of all the ballots, including the fraudulent ballots” (Justice.gov). 

Demuro tampered with votes in various federal, state, and local elections in the years of 2014, 2015, and 2016. This is a serious federal offense, as his sentence was for up to 15 years in federal prison. It is crimes like these that hurt the civil rights of citizens and damage our democracy. 

In order to ensure that not just your vote but everyone’s vote in your district is cast and counted properly and legitimately, a great solution is to enlist as an election judge. 

You will be given the proper training to be an election official, and you get paid for that in addition to being paid for working on primary and election days. According to the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website, over 30,000 election judges are temporarily employed during each general election. Many towns and districts are always in search of potential election judges, and special elections come up randomly from time to time where you can work as an election judge. There is no better way to ensure votes are counted than directly working as a judge.

The required time for training to become an election judge is only roughly two hours, with these sessions mostly being at night. You also have the right to have your current employer give you the required time off without a reduction of pay. 

Typical work days of being an election judge on primary and election days are long, with average work days being 6am-9pm on the day of voting. Imagine the bank you make in just one day of service! For some instances, you can request half days of work if applicable. 

Opportunities like these are often overlooked,  yet they are crucial to the smooth operation of elections in the United States. If a problem exists in your district in regards to voter fraud, this is the perfect solution for you to step up and make things right. 

It does not matter if you are 16 or 85, you can still become an election judge. The job of “election judge” also looks great on a resume and can create more opportunities in the future. 

Attached below you will find the website of the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State website. You will find more details regarding becoming an election judge, and you will find the links necessary to become one. It is important to make sure you are applying for the right district or city that works for you.

First step to becoming an election judge

Election judge interest form