Danville Election Commission catches the early worm with November judges

DANVILLE, Ill. (WCIA) — The 2024 general election's more than four months away, but one public body has already found the staff they need for the polls.

The Danville Election Commission has started training their election judges ahead of the November election.

The Election Commission hopes to staff each of its 22 polling places with three to four judges. In June, they have 150 signed up for training to work the polls on November 5 — dozens more than they need for an election months away.

"That's not to say we won't have some that'll call out on Election Day," Sandy Delhaye, the executive director of the Danville Election Commission said.

WCIA talked to election officials in both Sangamon and Macon County. For Sangamon County, Director of Elections Stacey Kern said they plan on holding election judge training in late August and mid-September. Macon County Clerk Josh said they will train judges in the two weeks before the election. Both officials said they hadn't started advertising to get judges, but both were confident they would be able to recruit the judges necessary.

For the March primary, Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons had to close 15 polling places just days before the election, citing a low number of judges. WCIA reached out the Champaign County Clerk's Office to ask about their plans for recruiting more election judges, but they did not return a message.

According to the State Board of Elections, to be an election judge in Illinois, you need to be a U.S. citizen, not running for office in the election, and a resident of the county you live in. You also must be either at least 18 years and a registered voter or a high school junior or senior with at least a 3.0 GPA and the principal and parent or guardian's permission.

Anyone interested in becoming an election judge should reach out to their local election office.