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1. What does an Election Judge do?

Election Judges are officials that staff local polling places, administer election procedures, and ensure that the rights of voters are protected on Election Day. Duties include but are not limited to:

• Setting up the polling place
• Operating voting equipment
• Directing voters to the correct line
• Registering individuals to vote
• Ensuring all qualified voters are permitted to vote
• Demonstrating how to vote
• Assisting voters
• Closing the polling place
• Determining the results after the polls close
• Certifying the polling place results

Election Judge Trainees receive the exact same training as adult election judges. They are also permitted to perform the same work as an election judge who has not declared a political party. 

2. Can I work with my spouse/friend/son or daughter?

You cannot be the spouse, parent, child, or sibling of another election judge serving in the same precinct at the same time. However, you may serve in different precincts or in different shifts.

You cannot be a candidate or the spouse, parent, child, or sibling of any candidate on the ballot at that precinct. However, you may serve in a precinct where your relative is not on the ballot.

3. Can I choose which site I work at?

Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee that you will be assigned to a specific polling location even if you have worked at that location in the past.

When staffing polling places on Election Day, we consider political party affiliation to ensure that no more than half of the election judges at a given location are affiliated with the same political party. We strive to match new Election Judges with experienced Election Judges. We also try to match the personal skills and experiences of individual election judges in such a way that election staff at each polling place complement each other.

While no specific polling location placement is guaranteed, we recognize transportation can be a barrier to participation. If you wish to serve as an Election Judge but transportation issues limit your location availability, please indicate this in the comment section of your application.

Polling Place Changes

The precinct boundaries and polling places for City of New Brighton voters have changed. Please visit our Redistricting Information page to learn about the City's redistricting work and download the City's complete redistricting plans.

New Precinct 1: Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church; 835 2nd Avenue NW

New Precinct 2: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints; 100 Silver Lake Road

New Precinct 3: Salem Covenant Church; 2655 5th Street NW

New Precinct 4: Christ the King Church; 1900 7th Street NW

New Precinct 5: Faith Church; 1600 Silver Lake Road

New Precinct 6: New Brighton Community Center; 400 10th Street NW

New Precinct 7: The United Church of Christ located at 1000 Long Lake Road

New Precinct 8: GracePoint Church located at 2351 Rice Creek Road

Visit the MN Secretary of State's poll finder after May 30, 2022 to find where your household votes. 

4. Am I qualified to be an election judge?

Required Qualifications

• Must be able to read, write, and speak in English
• Must have resided in MN for at least 20 days
• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Must be eligible to vote in the State of Minnesota**
• Cannot be the spouse, parent, child, or sibling of another election judge serving in the same precinct at the same time
• Cannot be a candidate or the spouse, parent, child, or sibling of any candidate on the ballot at that precinct

16 and 17 year olds may serve as election judge trainees.

Desired Qualifications

• Ability to communicate clearly with voters
• Ability to document election activities clearly in writing
• Willingness to assist and serve a diverse population
• Ability to remain impartial and not exert influence over voters
• Ability to pay attention to detail
• Ability to perform general math skills

If you meet these requirements, you may be eligible to serve as an Election Judge. You do not have to be a resident of New Brighton, an active member of a political party, a member of a Board or Commission, have previous volunteer experience etc. In fact, serving as an Election Judge is a great way to get more involved in the community and boost your resume!

5. How do I apply?

Begin the application process by completing our Election Judge Application. Positions will be filled by qualified candidates on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

Minnesota High School students who are 16 or 17 years old on Election Day can also serve! Complete the Election Judge Interest Form as soon as possible. Open student positions fill quickly.

6. How do I get paid time off work to serve?

Your employer may not reduce your wages/salary if you are selected to serve as an Election Judge as long as you provide your employer with at least 20 days of written notice and proof of your election schedule and wages. Contact the City Clerk at 651-638-2045 for more information.

7. When do I find out which polling place I am working at on Election Day?

At this time, unless you hear otherwise from us, you may assume you will be working on Election Day for the shift you signed up to work. Polling place location assignments will be communicated through your polling place supervisory team (Head / Assistant Head Election Judges) a week or two before Election Day. In addition to letting you know which location you will be working at, they will also let you know how meals will be handled, where you should park, what you can expect when you first arrive and any last minute directions.

8. If I am an election worker, can I still vote on Election Day?

Please visit the Secretary of State website to find out where you are assigned to vote on Election Day. It may be a different location than where you are assigned to work.

If you are assigned to work at the polling location where you would normally vote, you can cast a ballot during a slow time or on a break like any other voter. 

If you are assigned to work at a different location than where you are assigned to vote, you may wish to cast your ballot early with an absentee ballot or early voting, Find out more about your options on our Absentee and Early Voting page. 

9. When is training?

Minnesota State Statutes and Rules require Election Judges to attend a basic Election Judge certification course every two years to obtain and retain their certification. Election Judges will receive this basic election judge certification training course on-line and will be paid for 2-3 hours of training time at the same time they receive their election judge pay (30 days after election day.) Additional training is required for specific tasks. 

Visit our Election Judge Training Resources Page for more information.

10. What Election Judge personnel forms do I need to return?

If you have been appointed to serve as an Election Judge, please complete the following paperwork and return it to City Hall as soon as possible:

• Payroll Enrollment Form (PDF)
• Direct Deposit Form (PDF)

If you do not return all of this paperwork in its entirety and provide an individual email address, the City of New Brighton will be unable to pay you for your service. Thank you for understanding.

Payment for your service will be directly deposited into your bank account approximately 30 days after Election Day.