To: SPMS and MDOT Employees
From: Secretary David Brinkley
Date: July 28, 2020
Re: Opportunity for State Employees Serving as Election Judges to Earn Additional Pay and Administrative Leave
The 2020 Presidential General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2020. In accordance with state law, voters will be able to cast their ballots by mail, during the eight days of early voting, or in person on Election Day. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the State Board of Elections (SBE) is currently experiencing a shortage of election judges to staff the polls. Election judges play a critical part in the democratic process.
As a State employee, I know that you value public service and helping the citizens of Maryland. Therefore, I am calling on you and your fellow State employees to consider serving as an election judge this November to ensure that Marylanders have access to polling stations and are afforded the opportunity to vote without undue delays.
As a reminder, Election Day is a State holiday for State employees. In prior elections, I have authorized up to eight (8) hours of administrative leave for State employees who serve as election judges on Election Day. This year, I am authorizing up to sixteen (16) hours of administrative leave for State employees who volunteer to serve as an election judge on Election Day. This means that you would receive pay for the holiday and an additional 16 hours of administrative leave would be added to your leave balances if you serve as an election judge. You will get paid for each day that you serve during early voting and on Election Day. The amount of pay depends on which jurisdiction you serve and what type of election judge you are assigned.
Additionally, if you volunteer to work at an early voting center, you will also receive sixteen (16) hours of administrative leave for each day of service. If you are scheduled to work during an early voting day, you will have to request (and be approved) to use your leave for the day. In return, sixteen (16) hours of administrative leave would be added to your leave balances.
If you are interested in serving your community and helping to protect the democratic process, please go to the
SBE website to sign-up to become an election judge. With the election approaching, please sign-up as soon as possible.
Questions can be submitted to info.SBE@maryland.gov or to 410-269-2840.
Thank you for helping to provide all Marylanders with full, equal and unfettered access to vote in November.
