30,000 election judges are needed to help run the primary election on August 10 and the general election on November 2.  They enable the election to run smoothly and fairly and are paid for their work. Employers must allow time off to work as an election judge. 

Together with GiveMN and the Office of the Secretary of State, we are promoting a creative approach for nonprofits to help recruit election judges. Here’s the basic idea: encourage people to apply to be a judge and voluntarily donate what they earn for their service to your organization. Nonprofits can raise $1,000 by recruiting just five supporters to work as election judges who pledge to donate their compensation. 

Promoting this voluntary idea is easy. Ask individuals to apply (sample text and details are below) and to let someone from your organization know they are pledging their compensation.  Maintain a list of participants with basic contact information and after they get paid remind them to go online and send their donation through GiveMN.org.  That’s all there is to it!

The time to act is now; priority deadline for applications is May 15, which is the date political parties will submit the names they recruited.  Applications will be received after that date but many spots may be filled.

Here is sample text to help you draft a message to your supporters today;

Help [your organization’s name] raise money by being an election judge

Here’s an easy way to support democracy and [your organization’s name] at once: volunteer to be an election judge this year and pledge your compensation to our organization. Election judges enable the election to run smoothly and fairly—and they are paid for their service!   Judges receive a short training and work both the August 10 primary and the November 2 general election; employers are required to permit time off to serve as an election judge.  Once you are paid for your two days of service, you can voluntary go online and donate your earnings to us at GiveMN.org.

Ready to participate? First, send this brief application to your municipal clerk, county auditor, or county elections division . Then, let us know you are pledging so we know who is participating. Priority deadline for applications is May 15; applications will be received after that date but many spots may be filled.

 

[Link to application: http://www.mnparticipationproject.org/docs/election_judge_application.pdf]
[Link to find your election office to send your application to: https://minnesota.overseasvotefoundation.org/overseas/eod.htm]