Extra Pay for Working on Election Day
Because Election Day poll workers are critical to local democracy, Cook County Code § 22-1 allows County employees to get paid for their Election Day service in addition to their regular salary; no personal or vacation time required. Pre-approval from your supervisor is required.
There are two positions available: Election Judge or Polling Place Technician. Election Judges and Polling Place Technicians both assist voters and ensure the polling place is running smoothly. Polling Place Technicians are also responsible for setting up and maintaining the voting equipment. Due to the additional responsibility, Polling Place Technicians receive more training and higher pay.
Learn more about the positions through the video and information on this page.
(Identify yourself as a county employee when applying)
Both positions require that county employees are
- A U.S. citizen
- Either a registered voter of Cook County OR a college student with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Bilingual judges
- Spanish, Hindi, Chinese, Tagalog, Korean, Polish, Russian, Ukrainian, Arabic, Gujarati, Urdu - always needed
For information about serving in Suburban Cook County, email [email protected] or call (312) 603-0965.
For information about serving in Chicago, visit chicagoelections.gov or call (312) 269-7984.
- Election Judge
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Key Responsibility:
- Election judges work together to ensure their polling place are running smoothly and voters are properly served.
Please note: In south suburban Cook County we have had a surplus of Democrats apply for both the Equipment Manager and Election Judge role and positions for new applicants are not guaranteed. However there is still a need for Republican applicants in these areas.
Requirements:
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be a registered voter of Cook County. Not registered? Register now. High school (juniors and seniors) and college students don’t need to be registered to vote, but must have a GPA of at least 3.0
Duties:
- Serve in a suburban Cook County polling place
- Complete a hands-on training class
- Set up the polling place with your fellow judges before Election Day
- Work on Election Day from 5 a.m. until the results are transmitted and the equipment has been packed up at the end of the night
- Serve voters while polls are open from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Select "Cook employee recruitment effort" as the recruitment source.
- Polling Place Technician
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Key Responsibility:
- Polling Place Technicians work directly with the election judges to assist voters and ensure their polling place is running smoothly. Polling Place Technicians also have more responsibility for setting up and maintaining the voting equipment. Due to the additional responsibility, Polling Place Technicians receive more training and higher pay.
Requirements:
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be either a registered voter of Cook County or a college student with at least a 3.0 GPA. Not registered? Register now.
- Have access to a car and cell phone on Election Day
Duties:
- Serve in a suburban Cook County polling place and work outside your home area if necessary Complete a three-part training class and pass an open book test after each section Complete an online training course Set up voting equipment (with assistance) before Election Day Assist voters and manage equipment from 5 a.m. until the results are transmitted and the equipment has been packed up at the end of the night Deliver materials from your precinct to a nearby receiving station
How to Apply:
- Select the Polling Place Technician checkbox Applicants will be contacted if they are matched with an opening.
- If a Polling Place Technician opening is not available, applicants may be invited to work as an election judge
Select "Cook employee recruitment effort" as the recruitment source.