As the April 2 election approaches, election judges are in short supply in West Deerfield, Vernon and Deerfield Townships.
”Vernon Township is short 33 judges,” said Paul Kristoffersen at the Lake County clerk`s office in Waukegan. ”West Deerfield Township needs 22 judges and Deerfield needs 13. A lot of people will be out of town over spring break,” he said.
Judges` responsibilities include verifying registration and helping with ballots. They are to arrive at the polling place at 5:30 a.m. to take their oaths and check the machines. The polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Then the judges must tally and sort votes, which takes about an hour. ”So it`s a long day,” said Kris Payne of the Lake County clerk`s office.
A judge without training is paid $60, plus an extra $25 for serving as a coordinator to set up the polling place, or for collecting absentee ballots at a nursing home March 30 or April 1. Those interested in serving as an election judge can call Payne at 708-360-5928.
