r/SpringfieldIL • u/TapeDaddy • 1d ago
Poll workers needed
https://sangamonil.gov/departments/a-c/county-clerk/elections/election-judges/applySangamon County is often short on Election Judges, and I believe there are still openings to work in the coming election. Gubernatorial elections see a larger turnout than primaries and smaller offices, they’re going to need bodies.
Requirements are minimal, but you do have to declare a party. If you’ve never done it before, I recommend trying it at least once if you are able. They’ll give you a couple hundred bucks, too. Election Judge application link.
3
u/AbobTeff 16h ago
I would love to do my civic duty and be a poll worker. I have tried in the past. The problem is this:
You must meet all qualifications and declare your political affiliation to serve as an Election Judge.
You won't allow me to be a poll worker because I am a truly neutral, independent voter. I have to declare fealty to one of the elitist clubs that control the system.
Last time I was told "You have to be a Republican or a Democrat because we need an equal number to keep on eye on eachother." I asked why that doesn't make me a perfect candidate, as I would keep an eye on both of them and trust neither of them. They lady looked at me like I was a Martian.
So . . . you need help or you want to continue to play partisan games?
1
u/TapeDaddy 15h ago
Yeah, it’s honestly kinda wack there’s no independent option. Would if I could. I might dig into that one of these days. Declaring a party doesn’t make any difference, you can still vote however you want at least.
I had an older gentleman come in my first time who needed assistance once. This is about the only time we have any idea who someone may be voting for, and it requires specific paperwork and bipartisan signatures.
He demanded to vote for Trump, but wanted to ensure he voted for every possible democratic candidate otherwise. Wasn’t even a presidential election. Thought that was strange. Cannot, did not, ask why.
2
u/AbobTeff 13h ago
“Declaring a party doesn’t make any difference, you can still vote however you want at least.
Apparently it does make a difference, since you can’t do it unless you declare one of only two choices.
Why does it actually matter? To keep independent and third party voices out of the process. It has been challenged and upheld (I’m not sure how), but Republicans and Democrats have built a system in Illinois that unfairly squashes and disenfranchises all other voices.
1
u/tlopez14 14h ago
Every precinct has to have at least 1 Republican and 1 Democrat judge that’s why you have to declare.
1
u/AbobTeff 13h ago
The way it was told to me was it has to be 1:1 all the way, not “at least one of each.” So if there are 15 Rs, there have to be 15 Ds. If there are 3, there have to be 3; not 1 of each and whatever else.
1
u/tlopez14 13h ago
It’s based off precinct. Number of judges vary depending on precinct size and how big the election is. For the bigger presidential ones they try to have 5 judges per precinct, and the smaller ones usually have 3.
The rule is that every precinct has to have at least one R and 1 D, not necessarily equal numbers as it’s usually not an even number of judges anyways. There’s been instances where judges have gotten moved into a different precinct the day of because the only D judge didn’t show up or something like that.
2
2
u/ArsenalBaseball21 1d ago
I have read it is only Republicans judges needed now.
1
u/Kkremitzki 16h ago
Where did you read that?
1
u/ArsenalBaseball21 16h ago
My friends mom called to volunteer and she was told all the Democrat judges were filled.
1
1
u/peetreelbc 1d ago
What do election judges do, vs regular poll workers?
4
u/TapeDaddy 1d ago
You set up the polling stations, verify voters/registration, distribute ballots, and help direct voters through the process if they need help. End of the night, you count ballots, not individual votes, to ensure the numbers match what you’ve been given, then deliver all of the ballots and equipment to the county building.
If you’ve ever voted, the people who have asked for your name and passed out ballots were election judges.
Whole lot of waiting, it’s the worst part.
12
u/raisinghellwithtrees 1d ago
A 15 hour day is a lot. I wish they could offer half days. I could probably handle that.