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.

The student judge experience exposes students to grass roots democracy in their community and enables them to earn money for working the Election.

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

Program Policy

The state legislature enacted legislation that allows juniors and seniors in high school to work at VSPC's as student election judges. 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, if school is in session.
• Students should have their own transportation to the VSPC or must assure the Election Official that they will be dropped off at the VSPC by the time they are scheduled to work and picked up when the day’s work is complete.
• Student election judges will assist in checking-in voters at the VSPC, 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. Additionally, they may receive payment for attending the mandatory election judge class.
• Student election judges can serve as mail ballot or VSPC judges.
• There are no party affiliation requirements for student election judges.

Qualifications

Student election judges must:

• Be a U.S. citizen 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 a.m. and the tally of the votes can be as late as 8:00 p.m.
• 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 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 welcome, as well.
• Have the written consent of a parent or legal guardian.