Bill Calling For Pay Raises For Poll Workers Moves Through State Legislature

A bill moving through the state legislature would give poll workers double the amount in pay on election days. Lawmakers and local election officials hope this would get more people interested in working at the polls when it’s time to vote.

Senate Bill 290, authored by State Senator Warren Hamilton, calls for an increase in pay for election day workers.

Inspectors would receive $225, which is up from the current rate of $100. Judges and clerks would see their paychecks doubled from $100 to $200.

“This will open an opportunity for a lot of those people who had thought about doing it but because of the pay situation, they weren’t willing to take the time off,” said Julie Dermody, secretary of the Rogers County election board.

Dermody said keeping a pool of candidates to work elections can be difficult. Paying them more is a step in the right direction. She said many of her workers are older and hopes a younger crowd will begin to step up.

Sen. Hamilton echoes a similar sentiment.

“It has been more difficult to find individuals who are willing to work,” said Sen. Hamilton, in a statement. “[it’s] harder to replace long time election workers who have retired.”

Dermody also has to follow a state law of keeping at least one worker from each of the major parties at each precinct, which can be another challenge since Oklahoma has more Republicans than Democrats.

She is hopeful the bump in pay will help attract people with the desire to serve their counties.

“You’re the gatekeeper,” said Dermody. “Without these people working in these positions, where would we be?”

The bill is headed to the State House after passing the Senate with no objections. It carries an emergency clause, which means it could go in effect immediately with the Governor’s signature.