Suburban voters can do their part for democracy and
earn some cash in the process by registering to serve as an Election Judge for
the Cook County Clerk’s Office in the March 19, 2024, Presidential Primary
Election.
Clerk Karen Yarbrough is encouraging all residents to consider
serving as an Election Judge or Polling Place Technician to work on Election
Day.
The pay rate for poll workers has increased to $250 for Election Judges
and $400 for Polling Place Technicians, and the Clerk’s Office provides training
for both positions.
The Clerk’s Office is also putting out a call to encourage
high school and college students to consider serving as judges.
“Our Judges are
the gatekeepers for election operations and their work is critically important
to keeping Election Day running smoothly,” said Yarbrough. “They are also the
unsung heroes of our democratic process who provide a vital public service to
voters leading up to and on Election Day.”
The two poll worker positions
available include:
• Election Judge: These judges greet voters, sign them in,
and work together to ensure the polling place is running smoothly and voters
are properly served. This position earns $250.
• Polling Place Technician:
Technicians work with Election Judges to check supplies and equipment and
assist with the setup, maintenance, and breakdown of election equipment. Due to
the additional equipment responsibilities, Polling Place Technicians receive
additional training and earn $400.
Election Judges must be a registered Cook
County voter or an eligible college or high school student (16 or older). The
Clerk’s Office is also in need of bilingual Election Judges in many precincts
with high concentrations of Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, Korean, Tagalog, Polish,
Russian, Ukrainian, Gujarati, Urdu, and Arabic-speaking voters who are not
proficient in English and may need special assistance at the polls.
Anyone who
wishes to serve as an Election Judge is encouraged to apply online at
cookcountyclerk.com/work.
