Election judges needed for November election, McHenry County clerk says

McHenry County is looking for election judges to staff polling places for the November election, a need that is greater than past years because the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has led some past judges to drop out, a spokesman said.

The McHenry County Clerk’s Office, which serves as the local election authority, expects in-person participation to be high this year even as demand for vote-by-mail ballots surge, according to a news release.

“Even though we have seen unprecedented interest in voting by mail, we must keep our polling places open for the many people who are comfortable with voting in person,” McHenry County Clerk and Recorder Joe Tirio said in the release. “The COVID-19 virus has challenged McHenry County and the nation in so many ways. I’m hopeful that this is a challenge that we can overcome together.”

The county’s polling places typically are staffed by a “dedicated cadre of election judges from throughout McHenry County,” according to the release, but this year, the clerk’s office has received word that a number of them cannot perform this duty because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Judges receive a four-hour paid training class and are paid for their time at the polls. The clerk’s office will supply judges with personal protective equipment and hand sanitizer in an effort to keep everyone safe.

Anyone interested can sign up at mchenrycountyclerk.com or call the clerk's office at 815-334-4242.