Cook County Clerk Seeks Election Judges for March 17 Gubernatorial Primary (Cook County, IL) – The Cook County Clerk’s Office is calling on suburban residents to serve as election judges and polling place technicians for the March 17, 2026, gubernatorial primary election, offering an opportunity to support local democracy while earning pay for the day’s work.
Clerk Monica Gordon said election judges play a vital role in ensuring polling places operate smoothly and that voters are assisted properly throughout Election Day.
“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,” Gordon said. “Serving as an Election Judge is a meaningful way to support our democratic process while directly assisting your neighbors on Election Day.”
While the Clerk’s Office is seeking workers countywide, officials said there is a particular need in parts of Southwest Cook County, including Lamont, Palos and Lyons townships, as well as Northwest Cook County communities such as Hanover, Elk Grove, Schaumburg, Palatine, Maine and Leyden townships.
Two paid positions are available. Election judges are responsible for greeting voters, checking them in and helping manage polling place operations. That position pays $250. Polling Place Technicians assist judges with election supplies and equipment, including setup and breakdown, and receive additional training. Technicians earn $400.
The Clerk’s Office is also seeking bilingual election judges to assist voters who are not proficient in English. Languages in high demand include Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, Korean, Tagalog, Polish, Russian, Ukrainian, Gujarati, Urdu and Arabic. College and high school students are encouraged to apply and are eligible to serve.
To qualify, election judges must be registered Cook County voters or eligible college or high school students. All workers are required to complete a training class prior to Election Day.
Residents interested in serving are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to allow time for training. Applications are available online at www.cookcountyclerk.com/work.
Cook County Clerk Seeks Election Judges for March 17 Gubernatorial Primary
