Student Election Judges Program
The Larimer County Elections Department is excited to once again appoint student election judges to work the polls on Election Day. The Student Election Judges Program was adopted by the legislature in 1999 with the idea in mind of involving our high school juniors and seniors in the electoral process. As a result, students can now experience the grass roots Election Day process and learn as they earn. Not only does the experience raise the consciousness of the students who participate, but also it enables them to earn extra money for working Election Day.
Qualifications for Student Election Judges
To facilitate the Student Election Judges Program, certain requirements have been set forth under Colorado Revised Statutes 1-6-101(7) (c). Students must meet the following requirements in order to participate in the program.
- Be a United States citizen by the date of the election at which they are serving as an election judge;
- Be willing to serve - knowing that Election Day runs from 6:15 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and that they cannot leave the Vote Center during the day;
- Be physically and mentally able to perform the duties of an election judge;
- Attend a mandatory class of instruction concerning the tasks of an election judge prior to each election;
- Never have been convicted of election fraud, other election offense or fraud;
- Not be related to any candidate on the ballot in the precinct that they are appointed to serve;
- Be at least sixteen years of age and either a junior or senior "in good standing" at a public or private high school or being home-schooled at the time of the election at which they plan to work; and
- Have the written consent of a parent or legal guardian.
In addition, students must have the approval of their school's principal and designated program liaison. All applicants must provide their Social Security Number. Students CANNOT be paid without a Social Security Number.
How do I become a Student Election Judge?
Every area high school has a program liaison that coordinates the Student Election Judges Program for that school. Your school liaison may be a career counselor or a teacher in the area of social studies, political science, civics, etc. If you do not know your school's liaison, please contact the Elections Department and we can provide you with his/her name and position.
Students are to obtain application materials from their school liaison. Materials include a Student Application/Permission slip (requiring the signature of a parent or legal guardian) and a Student Election Judge Approval Form (requiring the signature of the school's principal or designated administrator). Completed materials are to be returned to the school liaison, who will then forward a list of eligible and interested students to the Elections Department.
Eligible home-schooled students may contact the Elections Department for application materials.
The Elections Department will contact appointed students and their parents with additional information including class times and which Vote Center they have been assigned to work.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will I get paid? Student Election Judges will be paid approximately $110 for successful participation in the program, including attending the mandatory class.
I can only work part of the day on Election Day. Can I still participate? Judges are required to remain at the Vote Center for the entire Election Day (6:15 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.). While judges may coordinate breaks, they must be willing and able to "work" for 14 consecutive hours on Election Day. Judges are not permitted to leave the Vote Center during breaks.
Will I be marked absent from school when I am serving on Election Day? Your school's liaison is to coordinate student election judges' absence on Election Day in accordance with your high school's attendance system.
When is the election? The 2007 Coordinated Election is Tuesday, November 6, 2007.
When are classes scheduled? Are classes mandatory? Class dates for 2007 will be announced as early as possible. They are normally scheduled within 20 days of each election. Student election judges are required to attend class before each election and are paid for their attendance.
As a Student Election Judge, am I considered an employee of Larimer County? Although they are paid for their participation, Student Election Judges are not considered employees of Larimer County.
What is the application deadline for the General Election? School liaisons will determine deadlines for student application materials.