Cook County Clerk’s Office Seeking Election Judges in South Suburbs for Upcoming March 17 Gubernatorial Primary

Cook County Clerk’s Office Seeking Election Judges in South Suburbs for Upcoming March 17 Gubernatorial Primary

Suburban voters can do their part for local democracy and earn some cash in the process by working as an Election Judge for the Cook County Clerk’s Office in the March 17, 2026, Gubernatorial Primary Election.

Clerk Monica Gordon is issuing a call for residents across South Suburban Cook County to serve as Election Judges and Polling Place Technicians. These poll workers play a critical role in ensuring polling places operate smoothly, voters are properly assisted, and elections are administered securely and efficiently.

While the Clerk’s Office is seeking judges countywide, there is a particular need in South and Southwest Cook County, including Lemont, Palos, Worth, Calumet, Orland, Bremen, Thornton, Rich, and Bloom townships, where additional Election Day workers are essential to ensuring polling places remain fully staffed and accessible to voters.

“Election Judges are essential to the success of every election, and their service helps ensure that voters across Suburban Cook County can cast their ballots with confidence,” said Clerk Gordon. “Serving as an Election Judge is a meaningful way to support our democratic process while directly assisting your neighbors on Election Day.”

The two judge positions available include:

Election Judge: These judges greet voters, sign them in, and work together to ensure the polling place is running smoothly and voters are properly served. This position earns $250.

Polling Place Technician: Technicians work with election judges to check supplies and equipment and assist with the setup, maintenance, and breakdown of election equipment. Due to the additional equipment responsibilities, Polling Place Technicians receive additional training and earn $400.

The Clerk’s Office is also in need of bilingual Election Judges in many precincts with high concentrations of Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, Korean, Tagalog, Polish, Russian, Ukrainian, Gujarati, Urdu, and Arabic-speaking voters who are not proficient in English and may need special assistance at the polls. College and High School students are also always encouraged to consider serving as judges.

Election Judges must be a registered Cook County voter or an eligible college or high school student.

Anyone who wishes to serve on Election Day is encouraged to apply as soon as possible, so they will have time to take a required training class that best fits their schedule. Prospective Election Day workers can apply online, at: www.cookcountyclerk.com/work.


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