Election Judge Information

Election Judges are a very important part of the electoral process. They are responsible for administering the actual voting procedures in each precinct.  It would be impossible to conduct an election without them because they are the only contacts between the Election Office and the general public during voting hours.  Talbot County Board of Elections is always looking for citizens who would like to serve as Election Judges during the Primary and General Elections.  Election Judges serve on Election Day from 5:45 a.m. until all duties are completed after the close of the polling place at 8:00 p.m.  Duties include making sure that qualified voters who are properly registered are able to cast their vote in a trouble free environment.  They must deal courteously and patiently with the public and coworkers.  Election Judges must possess good judgement, be reliable, courteous and able to follow procedures exactly. 

Individuals may serve as:

Chief Judge - serve as polling place supervisors. Each polling place is staffed with two chief judges of opposite party affiliations. Chief judges are selected from experienced election judges and must exhibit: knowledge of the electoral process and procedures, patience and flexibility, strong communication and organizational skills, an attention to detail, sensitivity to the needs of voters and good people skills. 

Provisional/SDR Judge - assist qualified new voters and provisional voters. This judge will work closely with the chief judges to process these voters in a helpful and timely manner.

Check In Judge - the first election judge the voters will come in contact with to begin their voting experience. The check in judge must have basic knowledge in computers to process the voter quickly and correctly. 

Voting Judge - issues ballots, assists voters through the process of voting, and ensures that the voter completes the process when the voter inserts the ballot into the scanner. 

Standby Judge - the election judge will be on call to fill positions that may come open within a polling place anywhere in Talbot County from the time of training to election day. This judge must be willing to travel anywhere throughout the county and be ready to be called with sometimes very short notice.

Qualifications 

Under Maryland law, you can serve as an election judge if you are: 

  • Age 16 or older *;
  • Are a registered voter in Maryland;
  • Physically and mentally able to work at least a 15-hour day;
  • Willing to work outside your home precinct;
  • Able to sit and/or stand for an extended period; andCan speak, read, and write English. 

* If you are 16 or 17 years old, you may be able to serve if you show your local board of elections that you are qualified to be an election judge and a parent or guardian gives permission. You will also earn either service learning credit or compensation after completing your Election Day service assignment. 

 NOTE: Some positions require election judges to be able to lift boxes and other items weighing 10 to 25 lbs.

 You cannot be an election judge and a:

  • Candidate or currently hold a public or political office, including State and county political party central committees, or
  • Chairman, campaign manager or treasurer for a political or candidate committee.

Compensation and Training

Training 

Maryland law requires all persons who desire to become an Election Judge to attend a training session. Judges are paid $100.00 for attending a designated mandatory in-person training program and completing their Election Day assignment. This amount is reduced to $50 if you do not serve on Election Day. Those who do not serve during Early Voting or on Election Day will not be paid for training.

Compensation  

* Early Voting and Election Day compensation will be paid at the following rates for each day served. 

Chief Judge **  $300.00
Check-In Judge  $250.00
Provisional/Same Day Registration (SDR) Judge** $300.00
Voting Judge  $250.00
Stand-By Judge $100.00

* A retention bonus of $100 per day will also be paid for those that have previously served in 2024 as an Election Judge. 

** Travel pay of $30.00 will also be provided to any Chief Judge or Provisional/SDR Judge who picks up or returns election materials. 

Be an Election Judge

For more information or to sign up, you may also email us at talbot.elections@maryland.gov or contact our office 410-770-8099. 

Interest Form

Election Connection

The Election Connection provides up to date information for election judges. 

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Page last modified Tuesday, June 3, 2025 12:12:09 PM