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Help Wanted: Election Judges to Help Keep Polls Operating Smoothly
Missouri Ag Connection - 10/15/2018

According to the Missouri Secretary of State's Office, which oversees statewide elections in Missouri, the poll worker's average age in this state is about 70.

"That is a generation of people that does not have as many computer skills. Even if they won't actually be working at computers, they'll need some skills for some of the election technology," said David Burton, county engagement specialist in community economic development for University of Missouri Extension, and a long-time election judge himself.

That is part of the reason that election judges are in short supply as counties - like Greene County - have introduced new computerized or optical scanning voting systems.

During the 2004 presidential election, over 650 election judges, along with 100 college students and 70 high school volunteers, worked the polls in Greene County.

For the election in November of 2018, even more will be needed.

Many of the election judges in 2004 were senior citizens. Some can no longer work elections because of physical ailments or difficulty performing the tasks required of election judges.

"The older generation has a strong sense of civic responsibility. But, it would be great to have younger people showing an interest too," said Burton. "My grandma got me started working elections while I was in college during the 1980s and I've just stuck with it."

State laws allow Independents and third party members to work the polls. State also allows persons appointed as election judges to be absent from their regular jobs on Election Day without fear of reprisal (see RSMo. 115.102).

Election judges do receive pay from the county but most elections judges continue the work because they enjoy it.

"Serving as an election judge is an excellent way to respond to the needs of your community. Election judges are the real guardians of the democratic process. It does involve working a 13-hour-plus day. But most of our judges take satisfaction in doing this important work," said Burton.

If you would like to serve as an election judge in Greene County - and you are "a registered voter of Missouri, can read, write and speak the English language, and are a person of good repute and character" - contact the county clerk's office by telephone, (417) 868-4060.

When you call Greene County to inquire, please tell them that David Burton sent you!

For personal stories about the fun of being involved in the electoral process as an election judge, contact David Burton at (417) 881-8909 or by email at burtond@missouri.edu.


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