By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer

Dr. Karen Salmon

(Aug. 20, 2020) Responding to a severe shortage of election judges for the Nov. 3 general election, the State Board of Elections is going to Maryland high schools and urging students to consider serving.

In a letter to high school students throughout the state, State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Karen Salmon issued an unusual appeal to fill thousands of positions that are now vacant, partly as a result of covid-19 concerns.

“I am calling on you and your peers to consider serving as an election judge this November to ensure that Marylanders have access to polling stations and are afforded the opportunity to vote without undue delay or interference,” Salmon wrote.

Nearly all 24 local election boards in Maryland are experiencing serious shortages of election judges, said David Garreis, president of the Maryland Association of Election Officials.

“Given the election judge shortages, including 14,832, an increase of 1,303 vacancies since the governor asked state employees serve as election judges, the election judge problem is a significant failure point for the general election,” Garreis wrote in an Aug. 5 memorandum to election board Chairman Michael Cogan and elections Administrator Linda Lamone.

“Additionally, 99 locations have declined to allow their facilities to serve as polling places on election day,” he said.

State and local officials are also pressing Gov. Hogan to adopt more voting centers to operate from Oct. 29-Nov. 3.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, voting centers are alternatives to traditional polling places and allow voters to cast their ballots on election day at any voting center in the jurisdiction, regardless of their residential address.

Although the Worcester County Board of Elections reportedly is not suffering as much as other county boards, any interested residents are encouraged to apply.

Typically, Worcester County has 200-220 election judges.

Maryland law states that an election judge must be 17 years or older, be a registered voter in Maryland, be physically and mentally able to work at least a 15-hour day, be willing to work outside one’s home precinct, be able to sit and/or stand for an extended period and be able to speak, read and write English.

If any 16-year-olds are interested in serving, they must demonstrate that they meet the requirements for an election judge to the satisfaction of the county board of elections and receive permission from at least one parent or guardian, according to the state election board’s website.

The website also states that candidates or anyone who currently holds a public or political office, including state and county political party central committees or chairmen, campaign managers or treasurers for a political or candidate committee cannot be election judges.

In addition, some polling places may require election judges to lift boxes and other items weighing 10 to 25 pounds.

No experience is required to apply to serve as an election judge. The Worcester County Board of Elections will provide comprehensive mandatory training.

“Thank you for helping to provide all Marylanders with full, equal and unfettered access to vote in November,” Salmon wrote in her address to students.

Maryland voters will be able to cast their ballots by mail during the eight days of early voting from Oct. 22-29 or in person at their designated polling place on Election Day.

The Town of Berlin is also seeking election day workers for its municipal election on Oct. 6.

Applicants must be Berlin residents, be registered voters in the town and be at least 18 years old as of Oct. 6.

The one-day employment opportunity provides a flat-rate stipend.

Visit berlinmd.gov or contact Deputy Town Administrator Mary Bohlen via email at mbohlen@berlinmd.gov to apply by Sept. 18.

For more information about becoming an election judge for the general election, visit https://elections.maryland.gov/get_involved/election_judges_form.html.