Behind the Ballot
In the lead-up to Election Day, countless behind-the-scenes efforts ensure that the democratic process runs smoothly. Election judges play a crucial role in making sure that voters have a fair, efficient, and positive experience at the polls. We connected with:
- Pat Baehler, Events & Scholarships Administrator at the Institute for Global Studies;
- Jadah Green, Program/Project Specialist in CLA Undergraduate Education;
- Alum Dylan Kelly (BA ‘09, political science), Director of Climate Programs at Ampact;
- and Dr. Amelious Whyte, the college’s Interim Director, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
to learn more about what motivated these folks to serve as election judges, what the role entails, and their advice for others interested in stepping up to help their community on Election Day.
I have found serving as an election judge to be a very fulfilling experience. There's something special about serving the community while supporting our democratic system, all through a series of relatively simple tasks. It’s a powerful combination! Plus, becoming an election judge is easy—just fill out the city-specific application to get started.
Jadah Green
Jadah: First and foremost, our responsibility is to do everything we can, within the law, to help people vote. Beyond that, election judges fulfill several roles on Election Day. Most Head Judges rotate poll workers through all of the stations during the day. My favorite station is the poll book station, which is a voter's first stop. At this station, we check in registered voters or register those who are not yet registered. It’s a great feeling to register a first-time voter! There can be some troubleshooting at this station—making sure everyone is checked in correctly and able to move through the line quickly.
Pat: Election days are long. Polls in Minnesota are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., but judges are there even longer. We arrive at 5:30 a.m. and set up the space, the booths, the technology, and all the signage. I'm always impressed by the organization and logistics involved in staging an election. All of our supplies arrive in bins, and there are instructions for everything. We rotate through different jobs throughout the day, from greeting to checking people in to monitoring the ballot counter. At the end of the night we pack everything up and make sure everything has been signed, sealed, and triple-checked for accuracy. The head judge takes all the ballots and critical technology to the county office, and the rest of us head home, usually after 9pm.
Dylan: Elections tend to create tense environments. People are inundated with negative ads, campaign calls, social media misinformation, and heated arguments with loved ones and strangers alike. As an election judge, you can ensure that the act of voting itself is welcoming, efficient, and instills a sense of civic pride. A few ways to do this include:
- Leave your politics at the door and get to know your fellow judges as people who share your love of democracy
- Treat every person walking into the precinct as if they were a guest in your home
- Problem solve issues that come up, so as many people as possible can legally cast their ballots
- Bring snacks! It's a long day and your fellow citizens need you to be focused and energetic
Amelious: In 2016, a woman came into vote, and she only wanted to vote for President, which she was not sure was permissible. English was not her first language and she needed assistance reading the names on the ballot after she was checked in. Whenever a voter needs help filling out a ballot, there must be party balance among the two judges who help them, which currently means there must be a Democrat and a Republican.
As one of us read the names of the candidates, the woman was quite emphatic when she said “No” to one particular name and when we came to the name that she wanted to vote for, she just as emphatically said “yes”. After she filled in the appropriate bubble on the ballot and placed it in the ballot counter, she proudly put on her “I Voted Sticker,” hugged both me and the other judge who helped her, which brought tears to my eyes. Her language challenges could have prevented her from voting, but we were able to help her vote.
Voting and Civic Engagement
In 2023, we commemorated the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs & Freedom where the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered the historic “I Have A Dream” speech. Inspired by historical and contemporary justice movements, the Dream Initiative, based in the College of Liberal Arts, invited Twin Cities organizations and communities to engage in opportunities that commemorated, fostered reflection, educated, and amplified our shared, social justice aspirations and actions for change.
