Apply to Serve as an Election Worker
Step 1 – FILL OUT AN ELECTION WORKER/ELECTION JUDGE APPLICATION
Applications are accepted year-round; however, if volunteers wish to serve as Election Workers or Election Judges in a specific election, they are strongly encouraged to apply early for the best chance of receiving preferred placement. Applications received close to the election date will be processed and volunteers will be assigned to a position and/or polling locations that have vacancies. Before applying, please visit the Position Description/Payment page to learn about the available positions.
Applications are accepted online via EJ Connection.
To apply:
Use the EJ Connection portal to create an account and complete the online Election Worker/Election Judge Application.
Once an application has been processed by the Recruitment Team, an email with instructions on the next steps will be sent to the applicant. This may take two to five business days.
The Recruitment Team may be reached by phone at 240-777-8578 or by email at [email protected]
Step 2 – COMPLETE YOUR TRAINING
To be eligible to serve as an Election Judge, one must successfully complete all required training. Instructions on how to complete training will be provided by a Recruiter. Assignments will be provided after all training is successfully completed. Precinct assignments are made on a first come, first serve basis; so, it is important that training is scheduled early. Completing training early in the process affords election volunteers the opportunity to receive the assignment at the polling place close to their home.
Election Judge training is conducted in two parts. Some positions may require more than one In-Person training class.
Training for position in Canvass, and Nursing Home Program, or for Drop Box Attendants require alternative on-site training.
Online Training Quiz
The Quiz is the first part of your training and is conducted online. To prepare for the quiz, access to the Election Judge Manual will be provided in the Training Materials on the EJ connection dashboard. Read chapters one through four of the Election Judge Manual before you attempt to complete the Quiz. Once the Quiz is completed successfully with a passing score, a Recruiter will review the quiz results and email you information regarding the next steps. This may take two to five business days. An applicant will have two chances to pass the quiz. If the second attempt to pass the quiz was unsuccessful, an applicant will be unable to move forward with participation in the upcoming election.
In-Person Training
The In-Person Training is the second part of the Election Judge training. After passing the quiz, a Recruiter will email volunteers their Election Day and/or early voting service position with instructions to sign-up for a corresponding an in-person training class.
Step 3 – ELECTION SERVICE ASSIGNMENTS
Election Judge Assignments: A Recruiter will notify volunteers of their Election Day and/or Early Voting assignment locations three (3) weeks prior to Election Day or the start of Early Voting. Polling place assignments are provided to Election workers Judges who successfully complete all the required training. Polling place assignments are decided by the Board of Elections and on a first come, first serve basis. Therefore, it is important to complete training early (Note: Training for the General Election began August 26, 2024). If training is completed early in an election cycle, an election judge has the opportunity to work at a polling place close to their home. Only election judges assigned by the Board of Elections are authorized to serve at the polling place and/or Early Voting Center.
Your Election Day assignment includes the pre-election set-up meeting on the night before Election Day and service on Election Day. Beginning three (3) weeks prior to Election Day, Chief Judges will begin to contact the election judges to discuss assignments and to confirm the time for the pre-election meeting. The standard pre-election meeting time is 6:30 pm at the assigned polling place. All Election Judges must report to their assigned polling place at 6:30 pm on Monday, November 4th; unless notified otherwise by a Chief Judge or their Recruiter .
Step 4 – ELECTION SERVICE PAYMENT
Volunteers will receive a service stipend (payment) for their service. To receive the stipend, volunteers provide their full social security number (SSN) which may be entered securely on their online application at EJ connection or by contacting the Recruitment Team. To be eligible to receive the service stipend, all required training and/or assigned election duties must be fulfilled.
* Election Workers who previously served as an election judge in 2022 election cycle or earlier will receive a $100.00 bonus for each full Election Day and/or each Early Voting Day or $50.00 for each part-day served during the 2024 elections.
A volunteer may choose to decline the stipend during the application process or any time thereafter. If the stipend is declined, the SSN is not required. You will need to select the “Decline Stipend” option on the application or contact Recruitment Team to update your record.
The service stipends are paid by check and mailed six (6) weeks after the election to the address of record.
High school students have the option to receive Student Service Learning (SSL) hours in lieu of the stipend. The SSL forms are emailed to each student about six (6) weeks after the election.
