The Election Authority is looking to add to its roster of election judges as staff gear up for the April 5 General Municipal Election, the Aug. 2 Primary Election, and the Nov. 8 General Election. It takes 720 election judges to work at the 104 polling places within the county.
“While we may not utilize all the election judges on our list for every election, we try to have 2,000 on our list of qualified, trained judges,” says Election Authority Director Kurt Bahr. “Not all are available for each election, so we need to be prepared to meet the need for every election day.”
Election judges, while voluntary, are paid positions. An election judge in a supervisory position earns $175 per day and other election judges earn $145 per day. An additional $30 is paid to each for attending mandatory training. Election judges help sign in registered voters on Election Day, explain procedures, provide ballots to voters and monitor the election.
“Election judges are a vital part of the voting process,” Bahr says, “and there are certain qualifications they must meet.”
Election judges must meet qualifications per RSMO 115.085 which include the following:
- Declare one of the two major political parties (Democrat or Republican).
- Be a registered voter.
- Attend a mandatory training class prior to working.
- Be available to work from 5 a.m. until after the polls close at 7 p.m. on assigned election days.
- Be able to help set up voting booths.
- Be able to sit for long periods of time.
Please note: Election judges who are on the ballot or have a relative within the second degree on the ballot cannot serve at any polling location that has that ballot. They may still serve at another polling location where they or their family member is not on the ballot.
If you would like to apply and receive more information on becoming an election judge, please submit an Election Judge Application Form, or contact the Election Authority.