Election judges in Maryland are paid at least $250 per day if it’s your first time serving and at least $350 per day if you’re returning from the last statewide election. That’s the state floor. Many counties pay more, and specialized roles like chief judge, provisional ballot judge, or same-day registration judge usually pay above the base rate. On top of daily pay, you’ll earn a separate stipend of at least $50 for mandatory training.
The Statewide Minimum
Maryland Election Law Section 10-205 sets the pay floor every county has to meet. A new judge must be paid at least $250 for each day worked, whether that day is early voting or Election Day itself. A returning judge, meaning someone who served in the immediately preceding statewide election, must be paid at least $100 more per day than what the county pays new judges. That puts the returning-judge minimum at $350 per day, and higher wherever the county’s new-judge rate already exceeds $250.1Maryland General Assembly. Maryland Election Law Code 10-205 – Compensation of Election Judges
Local boards of elections set the actual rates within the budget each county authorizes. So the state minimum is guaranteed; anything above it depends on where you live and the position you fill.
Pay Rates by County
Rates below are the confirmed numbers for counties that publish them. If your county isn’t listed, the $250 and $350 minimums still apply, and your local board can tell you the current rate for the role you’re applying for.
Anne Arundel County. Chief judges earn $350 per day. Voting operations judges and provisional judges earn $250. Reserve judges earn $300. Pre-election setup the night before adds $25. Returning judges get a $100-per-day retention bonus on top of their base rate.2Anne Arundel County Board of Elections. November 2023 Election Judge Newsletter
Baltimore City. Chief judges earn $325. Check-in, provisional ballot, and voting unit judges earn $250.3Baltimore City Government. Election Judges
Baltimore County. Standard election judges earn $250, provisional and same-day registration judges earn $300, and chief judges earn $350.4Baltimore County Government. Election Judges and Closers
Calvert County. A minimum of $250 for each day worked, including every day of early voting and Election Day.5Calvert County Government. Calvert County Board of Elections Seeks Election Judges for 2026
Carroll County. Between $250 and $330 per day depending on role, plus a $100-per-day bonus for returning judges. Judges also receive $20 for pre-election setup on the Monday before Election Day.6Carroll County Board of Elections. Election Judge Information
Harford County. Up to $315 per day, with the exact amount depending on the role assigned.7Harford County Board of Elections. Become an Election Judge
Queen Anne’s County. Up to $299 per day depending on position.8Queen Anne’s County, MD. How to Be an Election Judge
Talbot County. Chief judges earn $300, check-in and voting judges earn $250, and provisional or same-day registration judges earn $300. Stand-by judges earn $100. Returning judges get a $100-per-day retention bonus. Chief judges and provisional judges who pick up or return election materials get an additional $30 in travel pay.9Talbot County, Maryland. Election Judges
Training Pay and Setup Extras
Every election judge has to complete at least one training course before serving. State law requires your county to pay you at least $50 for each training course you complete.1Maryland General Assembly. Maryland Election Law Code 10-205 – Compensation of Election Judges
Some counties pay more. Talbot County pays $100 for training if you complete both the class and your Election Day assignment, and $50 if you attend training but don’t end up serving.9Talbot County, Maryland. Election Judges Training pay is often contingent on actually working the election. Anne Arundel County’s $50 training payment only applies if you follow through and serve.10Anne Arundel County Government. Become a Election Judge
Setup work the day or evening before the election is paid separately where offered: $25 in Anne Arundel County and $20 in Carroll County.
What the Day Rate Buys in Hours
The daily number sounds different once you know the shift. The Maryland State Board of Elections warns that the position may require 15-hour days.11Maryland State Board of Elections. Become an Election Judge Baltimore County asks judges to arrive by 5:45 a.m. and stay until around 10:00 p.m.4Baltimore County Government. Election Judges and Closers Early voting shifts are generally shorter; Election Day is the long one.
At $250 across a 15-hour Election Day, a new judge is earning roughly $16.67 per hour. A returning judge at $350 works out to about $23.33 per hour. Counties paying above the state minimums push the hourly rate higher.
When You Get Paid
Don’t expect a fast turnaround. Payment typically arrives six to eight weeks after the election. Anne Arundel County and Baltimore City both cite that timeline.10Anne Arundel County Government. Become a Election Judge Payments come from the local board of elections or the county finance department, usually by mailed check or direct deposit.
You’ll be paid only if you complete training, work your full assigned shift, and have current payment information on file. Judges who skip training or don’t show up on Election Day generally aren’t paid.
How the Pay Is Taxed
Election judge pay is taxable income. Your county issues a W-2 if your total election-related payments reach $600 or more in a calendar year. The IRS specifically tells government entities not to use Form 1099-MISC for election worker payments.12Internal Revenue Service. Election Workers: Reporting and Withholding
Social Security and Medicare taxes work differently here than in most jobs. Under federal law, election worker pay below $2,300 in a calendar year is exempt from FICA taxes, though the exact threshold can vary depending on the state’s agreement with Social Security.13Social Security Administration. Election Officials and Election Workers A new judge who works only Election Day plus training will come in well under that threshold. A returning judge working multiple days of early voting and Election Day can exceed it, at which point FICA applies.
Federal and state income tax still apply either way. Report the income on your tax return even if nothing was withheld.