County Clerk's Office

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 47 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;
• 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.

Training for Election Personnel

School of Instruction Training Class
Prior to each election, a School of Instruction training class is held as a refresher course and to go over any changes that have taken place since the last election. The School of Instruction is offered at no charge and takes approximately One and One-Half (1.5) - Two (2) Hours. Trained election judges can earn up to $140 for attending a training class and working as a judge on Election day.

Election Judge Certification Training
Every two (2) 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 continue 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 Two (2) to Two and One-Half (2.5) Hours. Certification classes will be scheduled after the Primary Election.

Click here if you would like to download the Election Judge Manual.

If you would like more information about becoming an election judge, please call the Rock Island County Clerk's office at (309) 558-3570, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.