On Election Day, some Edina High School students are headed to the polls––but not just to vote. Seniors Jack O’Brien and Devin Brandel will be working at the polls on Nov. 5 as student election judges. 

Applications opened in April and any high school student 16 years and older could apply. Being a student election judge counts as community service, although accepted applicants could opt-in to be compensated with a starting pay of $15 an hour. 

“I first heard about [the opportunity] from Mr. Anderson when he advertised it in his AP U.S. History class last spring, and my brother also did it when he was in high school,” O’Brien said. “I [applied] because I’m really interested in our political process and I want to engage with [our] government and politics.”

Upon their acceptance, each student election judge must complete an online training course to help prepare them for their responsibilities.

“There’s an online set of 12 modules with videos to watch and questions to answer so you know what you’re doing,” O’Brien said. “[On election day] you get assigned by the head election judge at your precinct. [In general,] I’ll be helping guide voters to get to the right place in the building and helping people [figure out how to] fill out ballots.”

Each student election judge is assigned to their precinct for a 12-hour shift. O’Brien will be at the Edina Community Center and Brandel will be at Normandale Lutheran Church.

“I do get paid and [I’ll gain] more experience with voting and our political system because I can’t vote,” O’Brien said. 

“I’m really interested in elections––I’ve done a couple of local caucuses,” Brandel said. “I’m kind of nervous for the 12-hour shift, but I’m excited to learn more about the election process and meet different people and voters.”

This piece was originally published in Zephyrus’ print edition on November 4, 2024