How to become an Election Judge:

An Election Judge is an integral part of the electoral process.  Election Judges staff all of Washington County's 49 polling places at both the primary and general elections.  Washington County employs over 450 people as election judges.  In order to serve as an election judge, you must meet the following requirements:

•  Be a registered voter in Maryland and residing in the jurisdiction where you will serve*
•  Be physically and mentally capable of working a 15 hour day
•  Be able to speak, read and write English
•  Be able to lift 50 lbs. (with assistance)
•  Not be a candidate for or currently hold an elected public or political party office (including municipal office or 
   or party central committee)
•  Not be a chairman, campaign manager or treasurer for a political or candidate committee
•  Not have a family member as a candidate within the district in which you are serving as a judge
•  Be able to attend a training class prior to Election Day
•  Be able to deal courteously and patiently with the public and coworkers
•  Have own transportation to and from assigned polling place or any required training classes.

*The local board of elections may appoint a minor at least 17 years old, if the minor meets all other qualifications to be a registered voter.

There are three types of Election Judges:

Chief Judge: In each precinct, a Democratic and Republican Chief Judge is appointed.  They equally share the responsibility of operating the polling place.  Their duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Contacting each election judge assigned to their precinct
• Picking up and returning the election supplies
• Checking the polling place prior to election day
• Supervising the opening and closing of the polls
• Issuing provisional ballots

Check-In Judge: Their responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Setting up the electronic poll books and printers
• Checking in voters on the electronic poll books and encoding voter access cards
• Printing Voter Authority Cards
• Checking voter identification for certain first-time voters
• Assisting in the closing of the electronic poll books and the polls

Voting Unit Judge: Their responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Assisting in the opening of the polls and setting up the voting units
• Verifying the Voter Authority Cards
• Monitoring activity around the voting unit and booths
• Assisting in the closing of the polls

Substitute Judge: Substitute Chief Judges and Substitute Judges will receive overall training as election judges.  The Election Office may call upon an individual serving in this capacity to fill a vacancy prior to an election or on Election Day itself.  Substitute Election Judges must be available until 7:30 AM Election Day.  It is important that one should accept appointment as a Substitute Judge only if he or she intends to be available should the need arise.  Their duties would be the same as listed above.

Compensation:        Chief Judge-$175.00
                                 Check-In Judge-$150.00
                                 Voting Unit Judge-$150.00
                                  Substitute Judge-Are paid the same salary as the person for whom they substitute.

Training Session: Election Judges are required to attend a 3-4 hour instructional session related to the functions of the office of election officials, and will be notified of such session when scheduling is complete. All Judges receive $25.00 for compensation for attending the training if they actually serve in both elections as an election judge (with no exceptions).  Substitute judges receive the training fee whether they work or not - BUT they have to be available on the days of the election.  Payment for this training session will not be made until after the General Election.

Election Dates:    
Required Training Class - January 2008
Presidential Primary - February 12, 2008
 Presidential General - November 4, 2008

Anyone requiring additional information concerning Election Judges, please call 240-313-2050.

Complete the attached application to become an Election Judge and return to this office.  You will be notified if a position is available.

Last updated: 09/25/2007