Judges are REQUIRED to sign and return the Certificate of Eligibility and Code of Ethics BEFORE the contest.

Judges will receive copies of the contest ballot(s).

The Tiebreaking Judge will receive a copy of the Tiebreaking Ballot. Tiebreaking judge gives ballot ONLY to the Chief Judge.

Judges MUST write their name and sign the bottom of the paper ballot or the ballot will NOT be counted.

Judges may use the scoring sheet to write any necessary notes. The bottom of the ballot will be detached to submit to the ballot Counters and Chief Judge. The top portion is kept by the judge and is discarded off site.

OPTION: Photo of Ballot. An option (to be determined by the Chief Judge) is to have each judge take a photo of the bottom, completed and signed, ballot. The photo will be sent as a text message to each ballot counter and the Chief Judge. The hazard of this procedure is that photos can be large files that don't travel well between phones. Taking and submitting a photo takes more time. See the "Text Message" option as preferred.

OPTION: Text Message Ballot. An option (to be determined by the Chief Judge) is to have each judge send a text message of their ballot to each ballot counter and the Chief Judge. The message would include:

An email or text message may look like:

A reply to the text message will be sent from the head Ballot Counter.

Internet Connection Lost? If a Judge's Internet connection is lost during a contest speech, the judge cannot continue to serve as a judge because they did not hear the speech. That judge will contact the Chief Judge to inform that they will not be submitting their ballot.

During the Contest

• Judges are to remain on the Zoom contest call and MUST remain attentive.
• We will use Toastmasters International's online contest suggestion that judges show ONLY the title of "JUDGE #. While I prefer an audience for the speaker and would prefer showing our smiling faces (just like we do in an in-person contest), we will follow the suggestion from International.