Precinct Judge Training

Precinct judge training is important for fair elections.

Precinct judge training is an important function of the election system. Millions of lay people volunteer or are recruited each year to serve as precinct judges, taking on the task of running polling booths. These judges make sure the polling place is operating efficiently, resolve disputes and solve problems. Judges must go through training, often conducted by the county's board of elections, to make sure they are familiar with election rules and elections are run fairly.

What is a Precinct?

A precinct refers to an election district. Counties are divided up into voting precincts. A voting location, often a well-known location such as a library, school or a place of worship, is created in each precinct. If a voter lives in a particular precinct, he must cast his vote at that location, unless he has voted absentee earlier.

Precinct Judge Role

The exact role of a precinct judge is a little different from state to state, making the training different. In Lucas County, Ohio, the board of election trains approximately 2,200 individuals to act as precinct judges and gives them specific roles. In Ramsey County, Minnesota, precinct judges are jacks of all trades; they are trained for various duties, including greeting, driving and monitoring materials for proper supply throughout the election day.

Qualifications

Precinct judges must meet some qualifications before training, including being registered to vote and living within the precinct area. In some counties, having reliable transportation is important because judges may have to transport materials and even voting boxes to and from the county's main polling place. Good communication skills is required by many counties because judges must converse with the public and clearly articulate rules, and at times settle disputes. Judges also have to manage other poll workers.

Training Detail

Precinct judges are trained on what supplies they they will need--ballots, pens, paper, voting rolls--and where to pick them up. During the training, they learn the main or designated sub-station to drop off ballots that have been counted. In Ohio, for example, precinct judge training typically lasts about two hours, but it can vary. Attendees are trained to set up, use, repair and maintain the voting mechanisms. Precinct election officials also are trained to screen voters for eligibility as well as to resolve common questions and challenges that might arise. Each precinct judge receives an indexed reference guide of Ohio election laws and procedures, which prescribes appropriate conduct for the resolution of typical election-day difficulties.

Becoming a Judge

To find out about precinct judge training, you can start at your county's board of election. In many counties, the board requires Democratic and Republican precinct judges at each location, so your local party headquarters is also a good resource for finding out more about precinct judge training.

References

• Lucas County Ohio Board of Elections: Precinct Judges
• Ramsey County: Preserve Democracy in America - Be an Election Judge
• Moritz College of Law: Poll Worker Training and Eligibility