Election judges needed across Central IL as primaries approach

Bradley Zimmerman
·2 min read

CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) — The Illinois primary elections are less than a month away, and various counties throughout Central Illinois are trying to recruit more election judges.

Jessica Fox, the Shelby County Clerk, said she and other county clerks experience a shortage of judges every election cycle, with few alternates to step in if primary judges cannot work their assigned shifts. Most clerks WCIA talked to indicated that they are always in need of judges, especially to serve as backups, and will not turn anyone away.

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Some counties need more additional judges more than others, however, and there is little time to recruit them. The Illinois primary elections are less than a month away and judges need to be assigned to their precincts as early as next week.

Macon County in particular is in need of judges, and people interested in being a judge there are asked to contact the County Clerk’s Office as soon as possible.

To be an election judge, people must:

  • Be registered to vote in the county they live in

  • Attend a training session prior to Election Day

  • Set up the polling place the Monday before Election Day

  • Work all day (approximately 5 a.m. until after polls close at 7 p.m. and ballots have been returned to the County Clerk’s Office) on Election Day

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People who want to volunteer as election judges can contact their county clerks’ office by calling or visiting their websites. Contact information for each county clerk office in Central Illinois is listed below:

  • Champaign — 217-384-3724 — Click here for online judge portal

  • Christian — Call 217-824-4969 or email elections@christiancountyil.com

  • Coles — 217-348-0523 — Click here for information on becoming a judge

  • DeWitt County — Call 217-935-7780 or email Kari Harris at kharris@dewittcountyil.gov

  • Douglas County — Call 217-253-2442 or email Judi Pollock at judi.pollock@douglascountyil.gov

  • Effingham — 217-342-6535 — Click here to apply

  • Ford County — Call 217-379-9400

  • Iroquois County — Call 815-432-6960 or email Breein Suver at bsuver@iroquoiscountyil.gov

  • Logan County — Call 217-732-4148 or email elections@logancountyil.gov

  • Macon County — Call 217-424-1305

  • Menard County — Call 217-632-3201 — email Martha Gum at email mgum@menardcountyil.gov — Click here for information on becoming a judge

  • Moultrie County — Call 217-728-4389 or email Linda Qualls at linda.qualls@moultriecountyil.gov — Click here for information on becoming a judge

  • Piatt County — Call 217-762-9487

  • Sangamon County — Call 217-753-8683 — Click here to apply

  • Shelby County — Call 217-774-4421

  • Vermilion County — 217-554-1900 — Click here to apply

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