>> If you've already voted in person or plan to tomorrow, you have an election judge to thank for helping make that happen.

They're responsible for setting up and running the voting equipment signing in verifying voters information and certifying vote totals.

Chicago has hired more than 8,000 election judges to help things go smoothly tomorrow.

And many of them are students.

>> Like many high school students, Prosser career Academy, Senior Tae Kwon Billups is too young to vote.

>> I will be turning 18 March 11 next year.

I do plan to vote.

I believe voting is something that we should all but he'll be at the polls all Tuesday working as an election.

Judge and making a little history, as officials say, students, this election are set to make up a record percentage of judges.

>> We have over 2000 high school students that will be serving as election judges in this upcoming election.

And over 300 college students serving together.

This is almost one-fourth of our total.

A poll worker force.

only requires election judges to meet criteria like they have to be able to speak, read and write English.

>> The skilled in the for fundamental rules of a wrist.

tick and be understanding and capable.

They also have to be citizens qualified to vote as in at least age 18.

But a special section of the law creates an exemption for students who extra qualifications, including getting a principals and parents approval making it through election judge training and a GPA of 3 or higher.

Cook County deputy clerk of elections admin Ski says that the clerk's office wants the state to ease that last requirement.

>> I'm not sure that I would have always qualified as a 3 going through high school or not.

Somehow I got through law school, but I might not have always been at that at that level.

The reality is that, you know, we don't want to discourage people participating in democracy.

>> Working in election is a living civics lesson for students but also election officials need the help.

>> Like in many groups in government, there's aging workforce and to get people engaged in a younger age.

It's important to every election.

Authorities going to tell you that finding enough election judges is usually the number one issue they face heading into every election.

>> There's an added benefit to younger judges.

They're often tech savvy.

>> And given that poll books or iPad, a given that screens are very similar, they can help troubleshoot through issues in ways that are very immediate.

>> Election judges and other poll workers are paid.

But Tae Kwon Billups says that's not why he does Contrary popular