Be an Election Worker

Apply to work in the 2024 Presidential Election

Thank you for your interest in serving the voters of Frederick County. You may apply at any time for the next election cycle. The Presidential Primary will be April 23 and the Presidential General will be November 5, 2024. Please note that an application must be submitted for each election cycle. Even if you worked in 2022, you must submit a new application. The term for an election judge begins on Primary Election Day and lasts 22 months.  

Elections cannot happen without election judges! They greet and check-in voters, give directions, and oversee the procedures to ensure voters are able to cast their ballots while maintaining the integrity of the process. They are the face of the election process and represent their county, state and country to the voting public. 

Judges are paid $175 per day plus $50 for the mandatory training class. Chief Judges receive $225 per day and $75 for training (they have additional specialized training). Please note that if you do not work, you will not be compensated for training. 

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS - You can earn Student Service Learning credit by working as an Election Judge. Apply using the application and Underage Consent Form below. Contact your school's SSL coordinator for the SSL Form. 

Apply to Work as an Election Judge

There are three easy ways to apply:

  • Click here to complete an online application (opens in a new window)
  • Download a printable form. You may return the form via fax, mail (340A Montevue Lane, Frederick, MD 21702), or email (electionjudge@frederickcountymd.gov). 
  • Call 301-600-4141 and request a printed application be sent to you. If you leave a message, please remember to spell your last name and leave a contact number.

If you're 16 or 17 years old, download the Underage Permission form and return it with your application or bring it to training. It cannot be signed virtually so a printed copy must be returned with parent/guardian signature. 

Election Judge Qualifications

You must be...

  • A registered voter in the State of Maryland. A 16 or 17 year old who has pre-registered must also have consent from a parent or guardian. Click here to download that form, if needed. (NOTE: 16 and 17 year olds may serve as an election judge, but are not eligible to vote unless they will be 18 by the date of the General Election.)
  • Able to speak, read and write in English.
  • Able to work at least 15 hours (6 am - 9 pm or later). You must be at your assigned polling place by 6:00 am on every day you are assigned (Early Voting and/or Election Day) and be able to stay until the polling place is closed and cleaned. Judges cannot leave the polling place at any time except for medical emergencies. You may bring food and medication with you or have it delivered.  
  • Able to help set up the evening before Election Day (this does not apply to Early Voting). Time will be set by the Chief Judge team. 
  • Able to attend a three hour required (paid) training class.
  • Courteous and able to work with the voting public and others on your team.
  • NOTE: While on duty, an election judge must not engage in any partisan or political activity or discussions.
  • NOTE: Judges cannot be a candidate or a chair, campaign manager or treasurer for a candidate or political committee.

Election Judge Roles

Election judges are cross-trained to perform each role except provisional/SDR and chief positions. All judges are expected to help set up Monday night before Election Day (not Early Voting). All judges are required to stay to clean up the polling place and pack the equipment after the election closes. While this typically happens by 9 pm, it cannot be guaranteed. 

Please note that you may be assigned to a polling place that is not in your precinct. While all efforts are made to keep you as close to your precinct as possible, no guarantees can be made. 

Check-In Judges

This position rotates with the others. These judges greet voters and check them into the voting system using an electronic pollbook. They are responsible for set up and packing of the electronic pollbooks. 

Ballot Issuing Judges

This position rotates with the others. These judges check the issued Voter Authority Card and give the voter the appropriate ballot. They are responsible for set up and the secure packing of the unused ballots.

Voting Judges

There are several duty stations within this category. All of these positions rotate with the others. 

  • Voting judges greet voters and make sure the correct ballot was given. The judge will either direct or escort the voter to a voting booth or to a Ballot Marking Device, depending on which the voter has chosen to use. 
  • A Voting Judge will be stationed by the ballot marking devices to explain how to use the touch screen and to answer any questions.
  • A Voting Judge will be positioned by each Scanning Unit to give directions on how to feed the ballot into the machine and to answer any questions. 
  • These judges are responsible for set up of the voting booths, ballot marking devices and scanning units along with the secure packing of the equipment at the end of the day.

Provisional/SDR Judges

This position does not rotate with the others. These judges go through specialized training to help voters with non-standard situations. They work with voters to fill out the appropriate provisional paperwork to allow them to mark a ballot. They also do Same Day Registration. These judges are responsible for set up and packing of the provisional materials. 

Chief Judges

These lead judges attend additional specialized training. They are responsible for overseeing the operations to ensure the integrity of the election process. Any issues are directed to them so the other judges can continue working with voters. They have both supervisory and administrative duties. They are responsible for overseeing set up and closing of the polling place with an emphasis on the scanning units. 

If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact us at 301-600-4141 or email electionjudge@frederickcountymd.gov.

We sincerely thank you for your interest!

Apply to Work as an Election Judge

There are three easy ways to apply:

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