Local election officials are currently recruiting 30,000 Minnesota voters to be election judges who will staff thousands of our polling places later this year. These workers are essential to our democracy because they help voters register and cast their ballots on Election Day. Election judges are allowed time off from work to serve and are paid for their services. Students age 16 and 17 can sign up to serve as election judge trainees, which is great opportunity for young people to gain knowledge about the election process and learn valuable leadership skills.

Nonprofits often work directly with communities that have lower rates of participation in our elections. This daily engagement provides nonprofits a unique opportunity to get new people involved as election judges.

Here is a creative way to build support for your nonprofit’s mission and contribute to our democracy at once: encourage your supporters to apply as election judges and commit to donating what they earn back to your organization once they are paid.  If you recruit just five volunteers who commit to donate, your organization can raise approximately $1,000.

Serving as an election judge is a great way to learn more about our election process and an opportunity to be a part of Minnesota’s proud tradition of providing free and fair elections. Those who support your nonprofit’s mission will enjoy this rewarding experience while knowing that their wages for those two days of service support the important work you do.

The Office of the Secretary of State, along with GiveMN and the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, encourage you to try this creative approach to fundraising and motivation for civic engagement. 

For more details about being an election judge, visit http://www.sos.state.mn.us/index.aspx?page=585

For sample text to help recruit judges who will donate, visit the Voter Mobilization section at http://www.mnparticipationproject.org/