Become an Election Judge
Apply to be a Judge
The City of Baltimore is seeking volunteers to work the 2026 Election Cycle at Baltimore City Polling Places. Volunteers will be paid by the Board of Elections $250 - $325 for working at a poll.
If you're interested in becoming an Election Judge, please fill out the Online Election Judge application via Google Form or Download Election Judge Application pdf.
Qualifications For Election Judges
- Must be at least 16 years old or older
- Must be a registered voter in Maryland
- Must be able to speak, read and write the English language
Additionally, you cannot be an election judge and a:
- Candidate or currently hold a public or political office, including State and county political party central committees; or
- Chairman, campaign manager, or treasurer for a political or candidate committee
There Are Four Types Of Election Judges:
Voting Judges:
This official helps with ballot scanning. Their jobs include:
- Helping open the polls
- Checking Voter Authority Cards
- Watching activity around the scanning units
- Explaining the process to voters
- Guiding voters to the scanning unit
- Checking and signing the Voter Authority Card before ballot goes into scanning unit
- Helping close the polls
- Completing other duties assigned by chief judges
Check-in Judges:
This official helps with voter check-in. Their jobs include:
- Helping open the polls
- Checking voters' information in the precinct register using the electronic poll book
- Giving out Voter Authority Cards
- Providing the right ballots to voters
- Checking ID for certain first-time voters
- Sending any problems to the chief judges
- Helping close the polls
- Completing other duties assigned by chief judges
Provisional Ballot Judges:
This official helps with provisional voting. Their jobs include:
- Helping open the polls
- Giving voters provisional ballot applications and ballots
- Helping voters complete provisional ballot forms when needed
- Keeping all provisional ballot materials safe (both used and unused)
- Helping close the polls
- Completing other duties assigned by chief judges
Chief Judges:
These officials make sure elections run smoothly. They have many jobs including:
- Working with Election Technician prior to Election Day to set up precinct
- Assigning tasks to other election judges and supervising voting machines
- Showing voters how to use machines and reviewing sample ballots
- Filling in for other judges when needed and completing necessary paperwork
- Keeping things peaceful and ensuring fair voting
- Making calls to the local election office and posting vote totals
- Closing the polls and returning supplies with workers from both parties
Term Of Office
The term of office for an election judge is approximately two years and ends thirteen weeks before the 2028 Presidential Primary Election. You are expected to serve as an election judge for all elections held during that period. This may include special elections that are called during the two-year term of office.
Compensation:
*Compensation will be mailed 6-8 weeks after Election Day
- Chief Judge: $325.00
- Check-in, Provisional Ballot, and Voting Unit Judge: $250.00
Each Judge works as part of a team including one Democratic Judge and one Republican Judge. If you would like additional information concerning Election Judges, please call the Election Judge Recruiters at (410) 396-5580.
Mandatory Training Class
You are required by law to attend a training class and to serve on the day(s) you are assigned to work. You will receive compensation for attending the training session; however you MUST work election day to receive this compensation.
Have Questions?
Email Us with any additional questions. Be sure to include your name, address, daytime phone number, and other contact information.