McLean County sees advantageous election judge surplus

Michael said she expects fewer people at polling location but that the county’s voter turnout will be the biggest ever. (Photo courtesy: HOI/ABC)

By Heart of Illinois ABC

BLOOMINGTON – McLean County has more election judges ready to help during the 2020 presidential election. The waitlist for registered judges has grown to over 100. The county uses over 400 judges each election cycle and can use the extra hands.

Those placed on the waitlist can be used to reinforce social distancing guidelines or manage mail-in and absentee ballot drop offs at polling locations.

This is also the first year 16-year-olds are allowed to judge. McLean County Clerk Kathy Michael said she’s never seen this much excitement for an election. She added that extra funds from the CARES Act allowed the county to support a larger number of judges and buying disinfectant products to clean down polling stations.

“That’s the big difference, it’s costing more, but I think in this case it’s very much worth it from the help we’ve gotten from the federal government, and state and local to make this process of democracy work,” Michael said.

Michael said she expects fewer people at polling location but that the county’s voter turnout will be the biggest ever.

Heart of Illinois can be reached at [email protected]

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