Election Judges

As hands-on participants in democracy, election judges assist in safeguarding one of our most treasured Constitutional rights: our right to vote.

The County Clerk's office needs election judges to serve in 37 vote centers throughout Rock Island County for each Election. There are always shortages in specific areas of the county because each judge is not able to serve in every election. At each vote center, there are judges from both major political parties. Some of the duties of the Judges of Election are:

  • To open and close the polls
  • To be responsible for all election materials
  • To ensure that only qualified voters are permitted to vote and that each qualified voter is permitted to vote once and only once
  • To ensure that all votes are cast in secret
  • To give instructions in the method of voting when requested by a voter
  • To give assistance to illiterate and physically disabled voters
  • To maintain order in the polling place (vote center) throughout the day
  • To tally the vote after the polls are closed; and to certify the election results in that precinct

To Qualify as an Election Judge

Election judges are appointed by the political parties. To qualify to be an election judge, you must:

  • Be a registered voter or at least 16 years of age (a new Illinois law that applies only for the 2020 General Election allows for 16-year-olds to serve as election judges)
  • Be of good repute and character
  • Be able to read and write the English language
  • not be a candidate for any office in the election
  • Not be a precinct committeeman

Apply to be an Election Judge by completing an application.

Election Judge Certification Training

Election Judge Certification Training every two years, the Election Judges are certified by the Circuit Court. The certification training covers the duties of the election judges from before the polls open and continues through the day until the polls close. A written test is given after the training session. The Certification Class is offered at no charge and takes approximately 2.5 Hours. Certification classes will be scheduled after the Primary Election.

Download the Election Judge Manual (PDF).

If you would like more information about becoming an election judge, please call the Rock Island County Clerk's office at 309-558-3571, Monday through Friday between 8 am and 4:30 pm.