MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Coon Rapids Seeks Election Judges, Including Students, for November General Election

COON RAPIDS, MN (September 26, 2026). The City of Coon Rapids is recruiting election judges to help administer voting during Minnesota’s general election on Tuesday, November 3, with students ages 16 to 18 also encouraged to apply.

Election judges perform essential duties at polling places, helping voters check in, registering qualified voters, explaining voting procedures, distributing ballots and ensuring election laws are followed.

The city said election judges help protect voting rights and ensure that each polling place operates fairly, accurately and efficiently.

Applicants must generally be Minnesota residents who are eligible to vote and able to read, write and speak English. Election judge appointments are recommended by the city clerk based on staffing needs and formally approved by the Coon Rapids City Council.

Election judges are currently paid $12 an hour. They must complete a required two-hour training class and will also be paid for the training time. The city’s recruitment announcement identifies the training as an online class.

Student Election Judges Encouraged to Apply

Coon Rapids is also recruiting student election judges who live in Anoka County and are between 16 and 18 years old.

Student applicants must obtain permission from a parent or guardian. The city provides a separate student permission form that must be signed and submitted as part of the process.

Serving as a student election judge gives young residents an opportunity to observe election administration directly, assist voters and gain practical experience in civic participation before many of them are old enough to vote.

State Law Protects Time Off for Election Judges

Minnesota law allows eligible employees to take time away from work to serve as election judges without being penalized or losing wages.

Employees must provide their employers with at least 20 days’ written notice. The request must include certification from the City of Coon Rapids showing the dates and hours during which the employee will serve.

Employers may choose to reduce an employee’s regular wages by the amount the employee receives for election-judge work during hours the employee otherwise would have worked.

How to Apply

Applicants can download and complete the city’s election-judge application:

Apply to serve as a Coon Rapids election judge

Completed applications may be scanned and emailed to clerk@coonrapidsmn.gov or mailed to:

Coon Rapids City Hall
Attn: Clerk’s Office
11155 Robinson Drive NW
Coon Rapids, MN 55433

Prospective election judges may also contact the City Clerk’s Office at 763-767-6493 for additional information.

The general election will be held Tuesday, November 3. Polling places will require trained election judges throughout the city to assist voters and carry out legally required election procedures.

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