UB's Schaefer Center Trains 3,000 Election Judges for Upcoming Vote
April 6, 2016
Contact: University Relations
Phone: 410.837.5739
The University of Baltimore's Schaefer Center for Public Policy recently completed training sessions for approximately 3,000 election judges, who staff polling places throughout Baltimore City during both the early-voting phase (April 14-21) and for the primary election for mayor, City Council, judgeships and other offices on April 26.
The judges, each of whom must be a registered Maryland voter and not be involved in an election as a candidate or as a treasurer for a candidate or political committee, are trained in four specific areas: poll opening and general voting administration; check-ins; provisional ballots; and general order for the voting process. The latter is handled by an election judge chief. The term of office for an election judge is two years.
For the past several years, the Schaefer Center has conducted training sessions for several thousand volunteers. The center provides updates on voting machine technology, on changes to voting laws and procedures, and on overall conduct of this fundamental democratic process.
"This is a very important election for Baltimore. Voters will be using a new voting system and there are a number of competitive races," said Ann Cotten, director of the Schaefer Center. "We're proud of our efforts to help ensure that polling centers operate smoothly. For each of the upcoming elections, our trained election judges will be ready and waiting."
Learn more about Baltimore's election judges.
Learn more about the Schaefer Center for Public Policy, part of the University of Baltimore's College of Public Affairs.
The University of Baltimore is a member of the University System of Maryland and comprises the College of Public Affairs, the Merrick School of Business, the UB School of Law and the Yale Gordon College of Arts and Sciences.