Election judges are responsible for administering election procedures in the voting place on election day.  Minnesota needs you to become a member of this proud team working to ensure the election process is fair and in accordance with our laws.

Some of the duties of election judges are: to open and close the polls; to be responsible for all election material; to ensure that only qualified voters are permitted to vote and that each qualified voter is permitted to vote only once; to distribute ballots; to ensure that all votes are cast in secret; to help voters requiring assistance; to maintain order in the voting place throughout the day; to obtain the results after the polls are closed and to certify the precinct election results.

Anyone eligible to vote who can read, write, and speak English can be an election judge.  However, an election judge cannot be a candidate in the election or closely related to a candidate.  Also, election judges cannot be closely related to another election judge in the same precinct. 

No more than half of the election judges in a precinct can be members of the same major political party (except in school and township elections).  Therefore, election judges must declare a major political party affiliation.  Note: Election judges are not identified by party once on the job at the polling place.

Election judges must remain impartial at all times while on duty.  They must carefully avoid any action that may influence a voter.  This includes asking, seeking to persuade, or inducing a voter to vote for or against a particular party, candidate, or question. 

To obtain a full copy of the election judge brochure, contact the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State at 1-877-600-8683.

Election judges are paid.  The pay varies according to precinct policy.  At least minimum wage is required, unless the individual judge volunteers to serve unpaid.

After at least 2 hours of training (for which the election judges are paid), three or more judges will be assigned to each precinct.  One of the judges will be appointed the head judge.

New judges must have at least two hours of basic training.  After that, all judges must attend a review course every two years. 

If you are interested in serving as an election judge for Baldwin Township, contact the Clerk/Treasurer at the Baldwin Town Hall at (763) 389-8931. Or by filling out the Election Judge Application here.