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DuPage GOP election judge shortage almost doubles in a week

Posted in:

* Tribune

Will County early voting sites and Election Day polling places are being stocked with hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes to protect election judges and voters as the number of reported coronavirus cases in the state continues to increase. […]

DuPage County continues to face a critical shortage of Republican election judges.

Last week officials said they were short 160 Republican election judges; that number has since grown to 300, said Adam Johnson, chief deputy county clerk.

“We have lost additional judges,” Johnson said.

Will County claims they aren’t having the same problems, but this is definitely something to watch as election day nears. Election judges are often retirees. And older people are in more danger if they catch this virus.

I have never voted by mail, but this could be the first time for me. It’s not that I’m frightened to go out or anything, but it will take some stress off the system if more people vote absentee.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Mar 9, 20 @ 4:08 pm

Comments

  1. My polling place has a mixture of seniors and high school seniors volunteering. The latter group walks across the street from a Christian school, where it is encouraged as part of their volunteer program. It would be great if more school districts can encourage this and help fill in more gaps.
    Is there anything stopping private businesses from including service as an election judge to be included in volunteering through corporate social responsibility programs? Many companies offer time off for volunteer activities that is a separate bank from sick or vacation time.

    Comment by Father Ted Monday, Mar 9, 20 @ 4:17 pm

  2. I wonder why this is only affecting the number of DuPage County’s Republican election judges.

    – MrJM

    Comment by @misterjayem Monday, Mar 9, 20 @ 4:33 pm

  3. How can Republicans be losing seats and influence…

    There was a time where Republicans were deep with GOP election judges in DuPage… with legislative seats too…

    Lots vanishing in GOP DuPage.

    Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Mar 9, 20 @ 4:35 pm

  4. My wife has served as Republican election judge. Unfortunately when we made reservations for our vacation, we were unaware the election day would be the 17th.

    Comment by bogey golfer Monday, Mar 9, 20 @ 4:49 pm

  5. “There was a time where Republicans were deep with GOP election judges in DuPage…”

    Turning out heaps of judges has been a GOP political flex in DuPage for as long as I can remember.

    And when you stop performing what has been a long-standing, routine display of strength?

    Some folks might interpret that as a display of weakness.

    – MrJM

    Comment by @misterjayem Monday, Mar 9, 20 @ 6:04 pm

  6. === but it will take some stress off the system if more people vote absentee.===
    Agree. Except for those that have to spend time in the bowels of 69 W Washington and other election board locations where the employees and poll watchers will have to spend even more time in cramped quarters counting those ballots. But probably better in the big picture.

    Comment by Been There Monday, Mar 9, 20 @ 6:22 pm

  7. Some states have all vote by mail elections

    Comment by Precinct Captain Monday, Mar 9, 20 @ 7:05 pm

  8. This DuPage you speak of….was that the land of Hyde, Phillips and Daniels?, mmmmm the force has seem to have changed in that sector young Jedi.

    Comment by Frank talks Monday, Mar 9, 20 @ 9:54 pm

  9. About two weeks ago I was in the middle of crafting a comment to a C.F. Story but while I was writing about the importance of Election Judges I stopped, realized I was in effect talking out of my ass -because while I have helped coordinate Candidate Poll watchers across legislative House District race before (from which experience I based my Election Judge comments) I had never personally served as an E.J.
    I deleted my comment and then signed up to be an Election Judge in the City of Chicago (I am a registered in Cook County) I figured they could probably use a Republican Election Judge… I took the opportunity while traveling downtown for Training to vote early in a County polling place located in the underground Pedway. NO lines, NO Crowds, in fact I was the only voter at the time…

    Comment by Man with a Plan Monday, Mar 9, 20 @ 10:11 pm

  10. Does the ’shortage’ in DuPage have anything to do with the Democrat Clerk who now runs the elections? It seems very Chicago like

    Comment by Law Man Tuesday, Mar 10, 20 @ 7:41 am

  11. ===Democrat Clerk===

    Nope.

    Is it the “Democrat” clerk that has been the reason state House and Senate seats keep flipping to the Democrats?

    It’s a conspiracy?

    If you think it is, hold a rally for all the possible GOP election judges that are being denied.

    The failure of the GOP here is not a “Democrat” conspiracy

    Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Mar 10, 20 @ 7:44 am

  12. Chalk it up to a lack of leadership on the part of the party chairpeople over the last decade.

    Comment by Anonymouse Tuesday, Mar 10, 20 @ 8:04 am

  13. “Democrat Clerk”

    Man, GOP’ers love them some excuses.

    Comment by efudd Tuesday, Mar 10, 20 @ 8:07 am

  14. Sure, there’s less Republican judges, if more people are voting Democratic. It makes sense.

    Comment by Tom Willis Tuesday, Mar 10, 20 @ 1:11 pm

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