Eden Prairie Recruits 300 Election Judges

The city hires roughly 300 election judges each cycle as Minnesota early voting reaches record levels outside a presidential year.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Civic Engagement

Empty folding table with stacked blank privacy screens and an unmarked wooden ballot box beside a pale brick wall in soft autumn light. — Eden Prairie is recruiting about 300 election judges to staff precincts on Election Day as more than 900,000 Minnesotans had cast early ballots by Nov. 2. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Would you consider serving as an election judge in your community?

Eden Prairie hires about 300 election judges during each election cycle to run and supervise precincts on Election Day. A walk-in training session for judges was held Oct. 30 as more than 900,000 ballots had been cast in Minnesota early voting as of Nov. 2.

Why it matters

Election judges staff polling places and help ensure voting runs smoothly on Election Day, so a steady local pool is central to administering elections. Early voting turnout that is the highest outside a presidential election in Minnesota's history raises demand for trained workers.

The city recruits about 300 judges each election cycle, while more than 900,000 ballots had been cast in Minnesota early voting as of Nov. 2. The article does not say how many judges will be assigned to polling places on Election Day.

The players

Brynn Hirsch

Brynn Hirsch is Eden Prairie's full-time elections specialist who started as a student election judge in 2019.

Minnesota Secretary of State's office

The Minnesota Secretary of State's office oversees state elections and reported the early-voting ballot count.

The details

Election judges help run and supervise precincts on Election Day and complete training sessions before serving. A walk-in training session was held Oct. 30, and several judges said they took the role to learn behind-the-scenes processes and serve their community.

2019: Brynn Hirsch began as a student election judge at age 16.
Oct. 30: Walk-in training session for election judges was held.
Nov. 2: Minnesota Secretary of State reported more than 900,000 early ballots cast.

Civic Engagement Context

Minnesota's early-voting totals reported by the Secretary of State's office show turnout reaching the highest level outside a presidential election in state history. Eden Prairie's recruitment of about 300 judges each cycle shows how local staffing keeps pace with that rising participation.

Residents interested in serving can contact the city to learn about becoming an election judge. Serving gives direct insight into how polling places are run on Election Day.

The takeaway

Trained local election judges are a key part of how elections run smoothly, and Eden Prairie's steady recruitment helps meet growing early-voting demand. Residents who want a close view of democracy can consider volunteering.