Election judges are temporary, paid employees trained to handle voting at the polling place and central count duties on election day.
Election judges administer voting procedures in their assigned precinct and ensure a fair and accessible election for all eligible voters.
Being an Election Judge provides an opportunity to learn more about the election process and to serve the Yellowstone County community. If you are an appointed election judge, you may take pride in performing a civic responsibility and guaranteeing the integrity and security of your local elections.
Election Judges duties may include, but are not limited to the following:
On Election Day, all judges are required to work from 6AM to approximately 9PM (depending on your polling location). From 6AM to 7AM, election judges assigned to a polling place help set up the site by starting machines, setting up tables, chairs, and voting booths. Polls open to the public at 7AM and close at 8PM. Once the polls are closed, judges verify materials and prepare them for transport to ensure results may be processed at the central count location.
No experience is required, and the elections department will provide comprehensive, mandatory training.
In addition to serving your community, you will make some extra money! Election Judges are paid at least the state or federal minimum wage, whichever is higher, and, after serving as an Election Judge, they are also paid for 2 hours of training.
Applications are accepted at any time; however, election judges are selected and trained in the first quarter of the year in which a federal general election occurs (even-numbered years). Applications can be submitted online, in person to the elections office during normal business hours, by email, or by mail. Applications received after applications are processed for the selection of election judges may be held for processing for the next election.
Election Judges must meet the following qualifications:
* This requirement does not apply to candidates for precinct offices
In addition, Election Judges must meet the following requirements:
Please note: Montana law requires the Polls to be open from 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. All judges must arrive at the polls no later than 6 a.m. and must remain until polling place closing procedures are completed, this typically lasts until 9 p.m.
If you can answer yes to each qualification and requirement, we invite you to apply to serve as an election judge for future county elections.