By Amanda Theisen
The 2020 presidential election was anything but a normal election cycle. With the COVID-19 pandemic still raging, election officials across the country had to confront several challenges, including finding enough people to serve as election judges.
Michelle Walstad was one of the many Minnesotans who responded to that call to serve.
“Most election judges are retirees, so due to the pandemic, there was an extreme shortage of judges,” says Michelle, senior vice president and director of deposit operations at Sunrise Banks. “I decided I could help.”
Michelle now regularly serves as an election judge in Anoka County. She has worked every primary and general election since November 2020.
“I feel deeply that every vote matters, and my favorite thing is to help register a new voter,” she says. “As an election judge, you must remain impartial. So regardless of your personal beliefs, you are there to ensure that voting is fair and impartial.”
Extensive Training
All judges in Minnesota are required to go through extensive training before each election. The training covers how the poll books work and need to be setup, how to setup the accessible voting station, how to assist voters curbside, setting up the ballot counter, how ballots need to be counted and verified, how to demonstrate completing a ballot, dealing with a spoiled ballot, assisting someone who is at the wrong polling station, what you are allowed to say and not say, rules regarding political signs and clothing, voter challenges, and how to register new voters.
“The first time going through training is quite daunting,” says Michelle. “But as time goes on, it gets easier once you are familiar with the process.”
Even long-time judges must learn new processes. For example, Minnesota held its first presidential primary in 2024. Michelle says new rules about declaring a political party before receiving their ballot confused a lot of voters. But she and other judges made sure they followed new procedures, ensuring the votes were counted accurately.
An Intense Election Day Schedule
Michelle recalls her first election experience in 2020 as “pretty crazy.” She and the other judges worked a 15-hour day – from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
“Most of the judges were new, and we were very busy the entire day,” she says. “While the polls open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m., election judges must set up and tear down all the equipment. We are also required to sign off on all the counts.”
Michelle expects this election day to be long, again. She says she’s also paying closer attention to how voters treat election judges.
“Serving as an election judge is something I take very seriously and the volunteers I work with all feel the same,” Michelle says. “I have heard some voters make remarks that do concern me, but there is nothing more important than your vote. If I or other judges decided to step back out of fear, we would be giving into the fear and that is not an option.”
“However, I will say that the process for counting votes is extensive,” she continues. “There are checks and balances all through the process to ensure every vote is counted. To those that take issue with the process, I say, ‘Register to be a judge.’ It is easy to critique from the sidelines, but be part of the solution, not the problem.”
“I would also ask that everyone remember the people working at the polling stations are volunteers,” Michelle adds. “Particularly the upcoming election will be exhausting, so be patient and grateful that the election judges are there to ensure your vote is counted.”
Support from Sunrise Banks
Sunrise Banks actively encourages employees, like Michelle, to not only vote, but also make time for volunteer activities, such as serving as an election judge.
“I am grateful to have the support of Sunrise Banks so I can support my community,” she says. “I would encourage others to volunteer to be an election judge in the future. Helping people cast their vote is very rewarding.”
Election Day is Tuesday, November 5. Residents in Minnesota can vote early, in person, through Monday, November 4 or by mail, as long as your ballot is received by your local election officials by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
For more information on the upcoming election, please visit the Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office.
Amanda Theisen is the communications manager at Sunrise Banks.