The State Legislature enacted legislation that allows Juniors and Seniors in High School (ages 16 & 17) to work at polling places as Student Election Judges. The Student Judge experience exposes students to grass roots democracy in their community and enables them to earn money for working Election Day.

Since its inception in 2000, the Colorado Secretary of State’s Student Election Judges Program has been a great success for students and a bonus for the county election officials and educators who have participated in the program. During the 2012 Presidential Election hundreds of students around the state joined the ranks of adult Election Judges working cooperatively setting up polling locations, processing voters, ballots and tallying the votes cast.

Ultimately, we hope it motivates these students to become active voters in their communities and election judge resources for future elections.

Qualifications – Student Election Judges must be:

• Be U.S. citizens by the date of the election at which they are scheduled to work.
• Be willing to serve – Election Day starts as early as 6:00 AM and the tally of the vote can be as late as 8:00 PM.
• Be physically and mentally able to perform the duties of an Election Judge.
• Attend a mandatory Election Judge class prior to each election at which they work.
• Never have been convicted of election fraud, other election offenses or fraud.
• Not be related to any candidate on the ballot in the precinct where they are working.
• Be at least 16 or 17 years old and a Junior or Senior “in good standing” at a public or private high school at the time of the election at which they plan to work. Home schooled students are also eligible.
• Have the written consent of a parent or legal guardian.

State statute makes the following provisions:

• Student Election Judges need not be registered electors.
• Upon approval by their school’s principal or an administrator designated by the principal, Student Election Judges will be appointed by and will serve at the discretion of the local Election Official. School administrators must determine that selected students can reasonably miss school on Election Day.
• Students should have their own transportation to the Polling Place, or must assure the Election Official that they will be dropped off at the Polling Place by 6:00 AM and picked up when the Election Day’s work is complete (approximately 8:00 PM).
• Student Election Judges will assist in checking-in voters at the polling places, activating voting machines, and assisting electors in casting their ballots.
• Veteran Election Judges will supervise student Election Judges.
• Student Election Judges will be compensated for working Election Day. Additionally, they may receive payment for attending the mandatory Election Judge Class.
• Student Election Judges can serve as mail-in, mail ballot, or early voting judges.
• There are no party affiliation requirements for Student Election Judges.

Interested? Fill out and submit the Student Election Judge application (PDF).

Apply early! If hired as a student election judge, you will have training prior to Election Day.

When you turn 18 you are able to vote and serve as a regular (adult) election judge!