Election Workers and Election Judges are registered Maryland voters who volunteer to assist voters during the election process. Election Workers and Election Judges are instrumental in ensuring fair and accessible elections for all voters and protecting the integrity of the election process. In accordance with Federal and State law, they must perform duties assigned by the local Board of Elections faithfully, diligently, and without partiality or prejudice.
Every election approximately 4,111 Election Judges and Election Workers are needed to fill a variety of roles to ensure the election is carried out honestly and accurately.
Volunteers may serve as:
- Election Judges - facilitating the election in a polling place during Early Voting or on Election Day
- Drop Box Attendants – retrieving ballots from designated drop boxes
- Canvassers – assisting in counting voted ballots
- Nursing Home Program – assisting voters in designated nursing homes
We offer a variety of positions with full-day and part-day hours of service. Some positions require prior experience and/or use of an automobile. Election Judges who are bilingual in Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and French are needed to help voters requesting language assistance.
Election Judges and Election Workers receive a set stipend (payment), based on their assigned position. To receive the service stipend, you must successfully complete all required training and fulfill all election duties to which you are assigned.
* Election Workers who previously served as an election judge in 2022 election cycle or earlier will receive a $100.00 bonus for each full Election Day and/or each Early Voting Day or $50.00 for each part-day served during the 2024 elections.
Stipend Vs. Student Service Learning (SSL) Hours
For your service, you may either earn a stipend (payment) or Student Service-Learning (SSL) Hours. Your social security number must be submitted to receive stipend (payment). This can be provided once application has been processed and submitted in EJ Connection. If you wish to receive SSL hours for your service, you do not need to provide your Social Security Number. SSL hours and applicable form will be emailed within six weeks after the election. The SSL form must be submitted to the corresponding MCPS SSL Coordinator (MCPS list) or staff.
Qualifications
To participate you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen and a registered voter in Maryland.
- Be at least 16 years of age or older (parental permission is required for 16- or 17-year-olds) and if needed, complete the Permission slip and return with your application.
- Not be legally prohibited from entering onto the property of a school or being near children.
- Be able to clearly and fluently speak, read and legibly write the English language.
- Not serve as a campaign manager for a candidate or as the treasurer for a campaign finance entity. Under Maryland law, an Election Worker may not hold or be a candidate for any elective public or political party office or any office created under the Constitution or Laws of the State.
- Be able to work the hours required for the position selected.
- Be able to lift up to approximately 25 pounds with assistance
- Successfully complete all required training.
- Work courteously and patiently with the public and coworkers.
Bilingual Election Workers and the Voting Rights Act
Election Workers with Spanish speaking fluency are especially needed as the Board of Elections assigns Election Workers who are fluent in Spanish to every polling place in accordance with the requirements of Section 203 of the 1975 Voting Rights Act. Bilingual workers are needed for Early Voting and Election Day.
For more information:
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/Elections/FrequentlyAskedQuestions/FAQsElectionWorker.html
TO APPLY: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/Elections/ElectionJudge/ejconnection.html
Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian and must be completed outside of school hours in a public space under direct supervision of the nonprofit organization. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns.
