With the approach of this year’s primary and general elections, Lincoln County is looking for people to commit to being an election judge on both election days — June 5 and Nov. 6.

“We are always looking for people who would like to be judges,” Leigh Riggleman, Lincoln County Election Administrator, said via email. “They do get paid for training and working election day.”

Two-hour training sessions are scheduled for 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. April 24 in the Ponderosa room at Libby City Hall, and 1:30 p.m. April 26 at the First Baptist Church of Eureka.

Riggleman said that a good attitude, excellent customer service skills and a willingness “to put in two long days” are hallmarks of a good election judge, who must also be a registered voter or willing to become one.

“They are the people in the trenches ... who help make our elections run smoothly” by running polling places and counting centers, Riggleman wrote.

Nationwide, more than 1.4 million people are trained to be election judges, Riggleman said, and many are over 70 years old.

Riggleman said the county “can barely make it with 120 judges, but this number does not allow for things like sickness, graduations and other family emergencies.”

People interested in learning more about becoming an election judge for one of 14 precincts in Lincoln County can call Riggleman at 406-283-2302 or Chris Nelson at 406-283-2306.