Many counties still looking for election judges ahead of primary election

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - Election judges serve a critical role at polling places, ensuring things run smoothly. They keep an eye on the process, hand out ballots and verify signatures. But often, counties struggle to get enough election judges to keep polling places open.

In Sangamon County, they've increased efforts to recruit more people to fill the critical positions.

"We need 930 election judges, we are talking about 150 registrars, and then another 60 to 80 support personnel," said Sangamon County Clerk Don Gray. "We [are] in excess of about 1,000 people plus. It's a tremendous undertaking."

Keith Shank has been an election judge for 30 years. He started the process of being an election judge as a way to serve his community. Now, he's glad to be a part of the process.

"There's always been a lot of chatter about whether elections are fair, and I'd say to anybody who has any questions about whether we run fair elections around here, they should come work as an election judge," Shank said.

Lately, Shank has been partnering with fellow judge Joni Hansen to process vote-by-mail ballots. The two are close friends after all the years they've worked together as election judges.

"We laugh a lot and have a lot of fun," Hansen said. "You meet people, and you miss people when they aren't at the next election."

Both Hansen and Shank said they would encourage anyone interested to look into becoming an election judge. While Election Day is long, the work is worth it for the fun and service they provide.

"All of the powers and controls of a successful election are maintained by election judges on the day," Gray said. "They really are the principal resource to having a great run election of integrity."

To learn more about becoming a judge in Sangamon County, you can check the Clerk's website. For information on becoming a judge in Macon County, you can visit the Macon County Clerk's website. For information on becoming a judge in Champaign County, you can visit the Champaign County Clerk's website.

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