To be an Election Judge you must be a registered voter in the State of Maryland, a U.S. Citizen, be able to endure a long day of 15 – 17 hours, be able to clearly speak, read, and legibly write the English language, do simple math calculations, and lift approximately 55 pounds with assistance. 

Election Judges receive a set payment, based on their assigned position, for successfully completing all required training and working on Election Day. Judges who complete training but do not serve will not be paid. We offer a variety of positions and hours of service.

Election Day Positions

• Chief Judge
• Voting Operation Judge
• Closing Judge
• Technician
• Opening Judge
• Greeter
• Roamer
• Standby Judge
• Runner

Early Voting Positions

• EV Chief Judge
• EV Voting Operations Judge
• EV Runner
• EV Line Management Judge

Note: Judges earning $600 or more in a calendar year will not have taxes withheld but will receive a W-2 at the end of the year showing their payment as taxable income. Judges who receive $1500 or more will receive a W-2 showing their payment as taxable income in addition to having Social Security and Medicare withheld.

Chief Judge

Chief Judges (CHF) serve as the polling precinct supervisors. Each precinct is staffed with two Chief Judges of different party affiliations. Chief Judges are typically selected from the ranks of judges and successful candidates should exhibit the following:  diligence, strong communication and organizational skills, an attention to detail(s), and sensitivity to the needs of the voter.

Responsibilities:

• In conjunction with their Co-Chief, provide oversight of the operation of the polling precinct in accordance with Maryland law
• Ensure a calm, pleasant voting day experience for voters while making certain all procedures are followed and the integrity of the election is preserved
• Coordinate and supervise pre-election, Election Day, and post election activities
• Review and certify precinct reports and documentation

Requirements:

• Automobile; vehicle must be able to transport precinct supplies.
• Cell Phone; is required for use on Election Day for conducting election business as needed.

Election Day Payment:            $200.00

Training Payment:                  $50.00

Election Day Hours:                6:00 am – to approximately 10:30 pm

Voting Operations Judge

Voting Operations Judges (VOP) are trained to carry out the duties associated with each functional area in the polling place; these include: Check-In, Voting Unit Area, and Provisional Voting.  The number of VOP’s assigned to each precinct varies based on anticipated turnout.  Provisional balloting may also be handled by specially trained VOP – Provisional Judges.

Responsibilities:

• Working with the team; set up the polling precinct the evening prior to the election
• Check in voters at the electronic poll book
• Escort voters to the voting machines and if asked give clear instructions on the usage of the equipment
• Assist voters as directed by the Chief Judges
• Processing Provisional voters who must vote using a paper ballot
• Working with the team; close down the polling precinct and prepare the materials and documentation to be returned to the Board of Elections

Requirements:

• Clear speech and great interpersonal and listening skills
• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time
• Attend the mandatory pre-election meeting at the precinct the evening prior to Election Day

Election Day Payment:            $150.00

Training Payment:                  $30.00 or  $40.00 for specially trained VOP-Provisional Judges

Election Day Hours:                 6:00 am – to approximately 10:30 pm

Closing Judge

Arriving at 6:30 pm, Closing Judges (CLS) serve as an additional resource during evening voting hours by providing relief for VOP judges.  Closing Judges perform Check-In and Voting Unit duties as directed by the Chief Judges.  When the precinct closes, Closing Judges are responsible for assisting the Chief Judges with closing down the voting units and for delivering all of the critical materials to the Board of Elections election night.

Responsibilities:

• Assist voters as directed by Chief Judge until polls close. 
• Assist in doing all tasks associated with closing each Voting Unit including completing documents and transmitting results to the Board of Elections.
• Two Closing Judges of different party affiliations ride together to transport the election materials back to the Board of Elections.

Requirements:

• Automobile; each Closing Judge is required to have a vehicle.  The vehicle must be able to transport; the two Closing Judges, the election materials,   and election equipment excluding the voting machines.  The vehicle may be a car, SUV, pick–up truck with a covered bed, or van.    Public transportation, taxi cabs, motorcycles, bicycles, scooters, and mo-peds are not acceptable means of transportation to serve in this position.
•  Cell Phone; allows the Closing Judge(s) to always be able to communicate with the Board of Elections while transporting the critical materials and election equipment back to the BOE offices.  In the event of any unusual or unplanned circumstance, the Closing Judges will communicate immediately with the Board of Elections and once contacted the Board can expeditiously deal with the situation so as to maintain the integrity of the election.     

Election Day Payment:            $75.00

Training Payment:                  $30.00

Election Day Hours:                6:30 pm – to approximately 11:30 pm

Technician

Technicians are “tech savvy” individuals who assist Chief Judges with the opening of the voting units and deal with any technical problems that may arise.  Once this task is completed they assist voters at Check-In and voting units. Technicians are assigned as needed to specific precincts.

Responsibilities:

• Resolve issues that may arise with the poll books and voting units in an expeditious manner to ensure polling precinct opens on time
• Check in voters at the electronic poll book
• Escort voters to the voting machines and if asked give clear instructions on the usage of the equipment
• Assist voters as directed by the Chief Judges

Requirements:

• Attend a pre-election meeting at Board of Elections on the Monday prior to the election
• Knowledge of basic IT skills to be able to troubleshoot voting equipment
• Excellent communication, problem-solving and organizational skills

Election Day Payment:            $75.00

Training Payment:                  $30.00

Election Day Hours:                6:00 am – 11:00 am

Opening Judge

Opening Judges (OPN) are assigned to provide assistance election morning when voter turnout is highest. The number of OPN Judges assigned to each precinct varies and is based on anticipated turnout. 

Responsibilities:

• Working with the team; set up the polling precinct the evening prior to the election
• Check in voters at the electronic poll book
• Escort voters to the voting machines and if asked give clear instructions on the usage of the equipment
• Assist voters as directed by the Chief Judges

Requirements:

• Clear speech and great interpersonal and listening skills
• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time
• Attend the mandatory pre-election meeting at the precinct the evening prior to Election Day

Election Day Payment:            $50.00

Training Payment:                  $30.00

Election Day Hours:                6:00 am – 11:00 am

Greeter

Greeters serve at facilities that host two polling precincts at the same address.  The Greeter’s role is to direct voters to their assigned precinct within the building.

Responsibilities:

• While stationed at the main entrance of the assigned precinct; direct voters to their correct voting precinct utilizing a street directory
• Provide general information to voters on procedures, the voting process and anticipated “wait times”
• Serve as a information resource to voters entering the facility

Requirements:

• Ability to read and use a precinct-specific Street Directory
• Ability to stand for extended periods of time
• Clear speech and great interpersonal and listening skills

Election Day Payment:            $50.00 per shift

Training Payment:                  $10.00

Election Day Hours:                6:30 am – 1:30 pm      OR         1:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Roamer

Roamers are “tech savvy” individuals assigned to a route of six to ten polling precincts in close proximity.  They are expected to deal with equipment issues as well as have a working knowledge of election procedures to serve as a resource for Chief Judges and voters.

Responsibilities:

• Visit each Polling Precinct on their route the evening before Election Day to meet the Chief Judges during their precinct setup and answer any questions that arise.
• Serve as a liaison and courier between the Board of  Elections and polling precincts on route
• Resolve issues that may arise with the poll books and voting units
• As necessary, mediate situations with electioneers, voters and Election Judges
• Complete and submit a detailed report of activities at each precinct on assigned route

Requirements:

• Prior service as a Montgomery County Chief Election Judge
• Attend a pre-election meeting at Board of Elections and pick up necessary materials on the Monday prior to the election
• Automobile; vehicle must be able to securely transport supplies, as needed
• Cell Phone; is required for use on Election Day for conducting election business
• Excellent communication, problem-solving and organizational skills

Election Day Payment:            $250.00

Training Payment:                  $50.00

Election Day Hours:                16 to 20 hour day, beginning at 5:00 am

Standby Judges

Standby (on-call) judges are selected for the following positions: Chief Judge, Voting Operations Judge, Opener and Closing Judge.  Standby judges are trained but have not received a specific precinct assignment.  Typically, this occurs because there is not an open position in the judge’s home or voting precinct, when the judge completes training.  Should an Election Judge be unable to work on Election Day, a Standby Judge (of the same position) is contacted and sent to the precinct as a replacement for the judge who is not available.  A limited number of standby positions are required for an election.

Responsibilities:

• Willingness and transportation to travel to any precinct within the County
• Serve as a replacement for the judge who is not available

Requirements:

• Sign and return a Standby Judge Agreement for the election (required for payment)
• Chief, Voting Operations and Opener Judges are on standby from the day their signed Standby Agreement is received by their Recruiter until 2:00pm on Election Day
• Closing Judges are on standby from the day their signed Standby Agreement is received by their Recruiter until 8:30 pm on Election Day
• If contacted for an assignment to a precinct PRIOR to Election Day, please call and confirm with you Recruiter within 24 hours
• If contacted for an assignment to a precinct on Election Day please call and confirm with you Recruiter within 30 minutes
• If contacted on Election Day, arrive at the precinct within one hour of being assigned

Please Note:  In the event we are unable to contact you to serve either prior to or on Election Day, the training and standby stipends will not be paid.  Failure to serve, when requested, will result in forfeiture of the training fee.   

Election Day Payment:          $50.00**

Training Payment:                Standby Chief - $50.00, Standby VOP, OPN, CLS - $30.00  

Election Day Hours:              CHF/OPN/VOP – from receipt of letter –2:00 pm Election Day

                                        CLS –from receipt of letter until 8:30 pm Election Day

**Standby Judges sent to a precinct to serve shall receive the stipend for the position that they are filling rather than the Standby fee amount.   

Runner (Election Day)

Election Day Runners provide logistic support to polling precincts requesting supplies and equipment from the Board of Elections. Individuals selected for these positions will be dispatched by BOE personnel to one or more precincts throughout their shift.

 Responsibilities:

• In a safe and timely manner deliver needed supplies and/or equipment to designated polling precincts
• Complete and submit an Election Day Log of deliveries

Requirements:

• Valid driver’s license and use of an automobile capable of securely transporting supplies and equipment (use of motorcycles, mopeds, taxi cabs are prohibited)
• Knowledge of major roadways throughout Montgomery County and the ability to navigate (or read a map) to locate precinct locations
• Attend a pre-election meeting at Board of Elections prior to the election
• Cell Phone for communicating with Board of Elections personnel and Chief Judges

Election Day Payment:            $100.00 per shift

Training Payment:                   N/A     

Election Day Hours:                 5:30 am – 11:30 am    OR  11:00 am - 4:00 pm

Early Voting Positions

Early Voting (EV) Judge

Early Voting is available, prior to the normal Election Day, as a convenience to voters. Multiple voting centers are located throughout the County. The voting process is primarily the same as Election Day and requires the following staff; EV Chief Judges, EV Voting Operation Judges, EV Runners and EV Line Management Judges.   EV Judges are selected and assigned to serve at one of the five EV centers in the County.  However, Standby EV Judges must be available to serve at any site, as needed. Please note: there are a very limited number of Early Voting positions available.   

Responsibilities:

• See Election Day Position Descriptions

Requirements:

• Served as an Election Day (ED) judge in the preceding election
• Completed ED training for the current election
• Completed EV training for their assigned position
• Available to serve a minimum of two non-consecutive days
• Be willing to serve where assigned regardless of the distance from home
• Attend a pre-election meeting at the assigned EV site on the evening prior to the start of Early Voting

Early Voting Payment (per day):      EV-CHF Judges $200.00; EV-VOP Judges $150.00

Training Payment:                         Included in EV payment

Early Voting Hours:                        9:00 am – 9:30 pm

Early Voting Runner

To be eligible to serve as an Early Voting Runner an Election Judge must have served as a Closing Judge in the previous election and must be available to serve all six Early Voting days.  EV Runners are selected to serve at one of five EV centers in the County.  Please note that there are a very limited number of Early Voting Runner positions available.

Responsibilities:

• Daily, report to Board of Elections (BOE) office to receive supplies and/or equipment to be delivered to designated Early Voting site
• Assist the EV team as directed by the Chief Judges
• Return completed documentation and materials to BOE once EV site is closed

Requirements:

• Served as an Election Day (ED) judge in the preceding election
• Completed ED training for the current election
• Completed EV training for their assigned position
• Available to serve all SIX days of Early Voting
• Attend a pre-election meeting at the assigned EV site on the evening prior to the start of Early Voting
• Be willing to serve where assigned regardless of the distance from home
• Valid driver’s license and use of a automobile capable of securely transporting supplies and equipment (use of motorcycles, mopeds, and taxi cabs is prohibited)
• Knowledge of major roadways throughout Montgomery County and the ability to navigate (or read a map) to locate voting location(s)
• Attend a pre-election meeting at Board of Elections prior to the start of Early Voting
• Cell Phone for communicating with Board of Elections personnel and EV staff

Early Voting Payment (per day):      $75.00

Training Payment:                         Included in EV payment

Election Day Hours:                       6:30 pm – to approximately 9:30 pm              

Early Voting Line Management Judge

Early Voting voter turnout is typically much higher than the volume seen in a single voting precinct on Election Day. As a result, voters may have to wait in line to vote at certain centers, during peak periods. To expedite the process and to keep voters informed Line Management Judges are assigned to monitor and manage the flow of voters into an EV site. Line Management personnel serve as the front-line election official and must set a positive tone for the voter’s experience. 

Responsibilities:

• To direct and manage voters in line to vote; from the entrance of the facility until the voter reaches the voting room
• Provide general information to voters on procedures, the voting process and anticipated “wait times”
• Serve as a information resource to voters entering the facility
• Encourage voters to study their Sample Ballot prior to voting

Requirements:

• Attend a pre-election meeting at the assigned EV site on the evening prior to the start of Early Voting
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time
• Clear speech and great interpersonal and listening skills
• A sensitivity to the needs of the voter, especially elderly and disabled

Election Day Payment:            $75.00 per shift

Training Payment:                  Included in EV payment

Election Day Hours:                9:00 am – 4:00 pm      OR         2:30 pm – 9:30 pm