Blue Earth County issues poll-closing and security guidance for election judges

The Blue Earth County Elections Office released Part 3 of its 2026 Election Judge Training video, focusing on closing the polls and securing polling places. Presenter from the Blue Earth County Elections Office said, “When we talk about closing the polls in Blue Earth County, we want you to think about 8PM as that is the time the polls officially closed,” and noted that any voter in line at 8 p.m. who can complete voting must be allowed to do so.

The guidance explains why these steps matter: judges must reconcile the number of voters checked in or registered with the number of ballots issued and the ballots tabulated so the county can combine precinct results with absentee and early votes. The presenter said judges will sign results tapes and sealed envelopes to begin the chain of custody and described the reconciliation check — matching voter check-ins, ballots issued, voter receipts, spoiled or abandoned ballots, and tabulator counts — as the foundation for returning accurate precinct results to the courthouse.

County instructions for equipment and security are specific. The presenter said tabulator shutdown must follow the instructions kept in the machine compartment and must be completed by a bipartisan pair of judges — one Republican and one Democratic Farmer Labor (DFL) judge — after the head judge gives the go-ahead. “Once that process is completed, four results tapes will print and your head judge will take possession of that results media,” the presenter said, adding that a removable thumb drive is provided as a convenience to upload results to statewide databases. Poll pads should only be shut down after the last voter’s data has synchronized back to the county database, and the ExpressVote device should remain operational until the final voter has cast a ballot.

On observers and conduct, the office told judges that once the polls are closed the public may observe the closing process and read results tapes but must not interfere, touch or record voter information, or attempt to count ballots. The presenter emphasized a zero-tolerance approach for anyone attempting to obstruct or intimidate election judges and instructed judges to document security-related observations on an incident log.

The training also covers law-enforcement access and distancing rules: under state law, peace officers may enter a polling place only at the request of an election judge or the head judge and should remain at least 50 feet from the polling place during the day; the presenter contrasted that with the 100-foot campaigning buffer. The presenter noted counties may appoint sergeants-at-arms in some polling places but said Blue Earth County is not electing to use sergeants-at-arms for this election.

For emergency situations, the guidance tells judges to prioritize personal safety, then preserve records where possible: protect at least one poll pad, secure voted ballots (including moving the wheeled tabulator if necessary), and retain blank ballot stock, but only when those steps do not endanger people. The county will coordinate any required relocation of polling operations, and head judges, law enforcement and emergency management partners will be involved in that process.

The presenter closed by directing judges to the Blue Earth County Election Judge training website and the Secretary of State’s 2026 Election Judge manual for additional reference, and noted an optional open house before the week of July 20 for hands-on practice with equipment. “We want to thank you at this conclusion of the presentation for your service as an election judge,” the presenter said.

The training segment ends with contact information for the county elections team and instructions for election judges who wish to be considered for future head-judge roles.