Mark Dayton: “I am pleased today to pay tribute to those Americans who play a very special role in our democracy, the citizens who…”

“I am pleased today to pay tribute to those Americans who play a very special role in our democracy, the citizens who volunteer to serve as election judges. They work at the polls on Election Day, safeguarding our most precious right as Americans, the right to choose our leaders whom we then trust to govern, legislate on our behalf, and protect our rights and freedoms. Having received training in election laws and rules, judges open and close the polls, making a formidable commitment of time, energy, and stamina to work all day, often from before dawn until after dark. Some judges must promise to remain inside the polling place all day. They distribute ballots, tend to ballot boxes, count ballots, strictly adhering to prescribed procedures to ensure secrecy and accuracy of election materials. The judges process absentee ballots, help voters who require assistance, register new voters, and make certain that only qualified voters are permitted to vote. Recent history has taught us, all too dramatically, how important this process of validation is. To undertake this form of volunteer service is truly to exercise one's civic responsibility while also facilitating that right and duty for one's fellow citizens. While voters with strong party interests might be drawn to the position, a judge's job is not to influence voters. To be an election judge is to be a citizen-activist on a very basic, very human level.”