County Clerk: Election Judge

Election judges are responsible for the proper and lawful conduct of the election in the polling place. Election judges are commissioned as officers of the Circuit Court and are required to take an oath to uphold the constitutions of the United States and the State of Illinois in performing their duties. Election judges help ensure that every person qualified to vote is permitted to vote and that every person permitted to vote is qualified to vote.

QUALIFICATIONS TO BE AN ELECTION JUDGE
(10ILCS 5/13-4)

• 1. Be a citizen of the United States and entitled to vote at the next election.
• 2. Be of good repute and character.
• 3. Be able to speak, read and write the English language.
• 4. Be skilled in the four fundamental rules of arithmetic.
• 5. Be of good understanding and capable to perform his/her duties.
• 6. Not be a candidate for any office at the election and not be an elected committeeperson.
• 7. Reside in the precinct in which he/she is selected to serve. (However, there can be exceptions to this rule.)

HOW DO I LEARN WHAT ELECTION JUDGES DO?
The County Clerk's office offers training classes: Training is valid for a two-year period. It provides an overview of the legal and procedural requirements, plus recommendations for handling specific situations. Each election judge who completes a training class and passes a test is issued a two-year training certificate. Before some elections, judges are offered optional training concerning situations which warrant special attention. There is no charge for classes. They are held at convenient locations throughout the county.

ARE ELECTION JUDGES PAID?
Judges who have not attended training earn $145 for each election served. Judges who maintain a trained status (every two years) receive $155.00. Additional pay can be earned for taking on extra responsibilities before and on Election Day. (See Pay Rate Schedule below).

PAY RATE SCHEDULE FOR PEORIA COUNTY ELECTION JUDGES

• Pick up election supplies $10.00 plus $0.46 per mile for driver
• Ballot delivery on election night $10.00 plus $0.46 per mile for driver
• Nursing home voting before Election Day (with training)** $135.00
• Early voting $10.00/hour with a $50.00 minimum

** Nursing home judges must also serve Election Day.

WHAT ARE THE WORKING HOURS?
On Election Day in Illinois, the polls are open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. All Election Judges should arrive at the polling place no later than 5:30 a.m. (7:30 a.m. for early voting), to check election supplies and set up the polling place. Early voting hours are 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday and 9:00-4:00 on Sundays. Early voting judges may work as few as one day during early voting.

WHAT ABOUT PARTY AFFILIATION?
Election judges at each precinct polling place represent the two major political parties. In even-numbered years when five election judges are required, "no more than three persons of the same political party shall be appointed judges of the same election precinct...". In odd-numbered years when three election judges are required, only two shall be of the same political party. (10ILCS5/13-1)

WHO SELECTS ELECTION JUDGES?
In the spring of even-numbered years, the County Board approves election judges from certified lists furnished by the Peoria County Central Committee party chairpersons and party Precinct Committeepersons. All judges are designated as either Regular or Substitute. The lists are submitted to the Circuit Court and a legal notice is published. If no objections are filed, election judges are commissioned as Officers of the Court for two years. The County Clerk's office mails each Regular election judge an Election Judge Commission certificate.

HOW WILL I KNOW IF I AM TO SERVE?
The Peoria County Clerk's Elections Department sends a scheduling notice to Regular Judges six weeks before each election. When Regular Judges are not available, Substitute Judges are asked to serve. Substitute Judges may be asked to serve in an area outside their own precinct. Approximately one week before the election, Judges are sent a reminder notice

ELECTION JUDGES ARE SPECIAL PEOPLE
When people feel civic-minded they usually participate in the electoral process: some become candidates and run for political office; others campaign for candidates; and a special few become Election Judges. It really does require some special abilities to be an Election Judge. Judges have to like working with all kinds of people and be interested in the voting process. They have to be willing to give up the entire day for the election; have the stamina needed to carry election supplies in an out of the polling place; and be able to maintain a cheerful disposition when voters are difficult. Please become an Election Judge. By fulfilling this civic duty, you provide an example to others in your neighborhood of the importance of the democratic process. If you are interested, or you know someone who might be interested in becoming an Election Judge, please phone the County Clerk at (309) 672-6070.