Be part of the electoral process by becoming an election judge

The DuPage Election Division is accepting applications to serve as a judge for your political party in future county elections.

You must be: a U.S. citizen; registered to vote in DuPage County; of good repute and character; able to speak, read and write the English language; skilled in the four fundamental rules of arithmetic (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division); and of good understanding and capable.

A candidate on the ballot or valid write-in candidate is not eligible to be an election judge. An elected precinct committeeman is not eligible to be an election judge.

Illinois statutes require bipartisan representation in the polling place. An individual must declare the party he/she wishes to represent.

The statutes also require that election judges complete training courses and pass a written examination in each two-year appointment period. A school of instruction and training session is conducted for this purpose. Prospective election judges will receive a handbook and a home study review test prior to the school of instruction. All election judges must attend and satisfactorily complete the course or complete the online training and testing offered before each election in order to receive extra compensation for each election served. The online training is only accessible to election judges who have been assigned to work and will require login credentials.

Once appointed and confirmed by the Circuit Court, an election judge becomes a deputy of the court and is obligated to serve for the full two-year period of appointment.

Election judges should not allow any interference with the performance of their duties.

All election judges are equal in authority, regardless of length of service. All decisions regarding challenges to a voter's qualifications must be made by a majority vote of the judges. Judges should rotate the various duties during Election Day.

Judges are expected to report to the polling place by 5 a.m. election morning and be prepared to remain in the polling place for approximately two hours after the 7 p.m. close of the polls.

The base pay for an election judge is $130 for Election Day.

An election judge who has completed the school of instruction and testing will receive an additional $30 compensation.

In addition, the election judges who pick up the election supplies and return them at the conclusion of Election Day will receive additional compensation.

Healthcare Judges are certified election judges who go to state certified health care facilities on the Saturday prior to Election Day to assist in voting of health care facility residents who are enrolled in the Healthcare Program. Usually two election judges (one from each major party) assist voters at a facility to cast their ballot. Healthcare judges receive a flat fee of $40 (plus mileage to those judges who return supplies to the Election Division).

For more information, contact Kathy Vana at kathy.vana@dupageco.org or visit www.dupageco.org/Election/.