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.

City of Peoria residents will need to contact the Peoria Election Commission: www.peoriaelections.org.

QUALIFICATIONS
(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 precinct committeeperson.
7. Reside in the precinct in which he/she is selected to serve. (However, there can be exceptions to this rule.)

TRAINING
Election Judges must attend a 4-hour training course. This course provides an overview of the legal and procedural requirements, plus recommendations for handling specific situations. There is no charge for classes. They are held at convenient locations throughout the county approximately 2 months before the election. To accommodate various schedules, training classes are held during normal workday hours, evenings and on Saturdays.

COMPENSATION
Election Judges earn $155 for each election served. Election Judges that have been assigned and serve as a tech judge will earn $230. Additional pay can be earned for taking on extra responsibilities before and on Election Day. These include:

• Picking up election supplies: $15.00 plus $0.555 per mile for driver
• Ballot delivery on election night: $15.00 plus $0.555 per mile for driver
• Nursing home voting (before Election Day): $155.00*
• Early voting: $12.00/hour with a $65.00 minimum

* Nursing home judges must also serve on Election Day.

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 by 5:00 a.m. to check election supplies and set up the polling place. Election Judges must stay until all voters that were in line at 7:00 p.m. have voted and all equipment has been packed.

TECH JUDGES
Tech Judges attend an additional 2-3 hour training class where they receive more extensive training with the voting equipment and forms. These judges do not have any more authority than any other judge on Election Day. Each assigned Tech Judge will earn an additional $75 if they work on Election Day.

STUDENT JUDGES
High School juniors and seniors may serve as Election Judges. Students must maintain a 3.0 G.P.A. on a 4.0 scale and obtain principal and parental approval.

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)

SELECTION PROCESS
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.

SCHEDULING
The Peoria County Clerk's Elections Department sends an availability notice to all Judges approximately 4 months 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.

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 even when difficulties are presented. 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.

CONTACT US
If you are interested in becoming an Election Judge, please contact us with the following information:

• Name
• Residence
• Phone Number
• Party Affiliation (Democratic or Republican)