UPDATE: The county commissioners ratified the changes on April 24. The Monroe County Election Board set the rates at a May 2 meeting.
Monroe County is moving toward a pay increase for election day poll workers.
The county commissioners unanimously voted Wednesday to amend the county code to increase workers’ pay ranges.
Here’s how the amendments would change the maximum per diem amounts available to each type of worker, according to Election Supervisor Kylie Moreland:
- Inspectors: $165 to $200
- Judges: $135 to $175
- Clerks: $135 to $150
- Sheriffs: $115 to $120
Each of these workers is also eligible for additional pay for attending training sessions. Here’s how the amendment would change those rates:
- Inspectors: $35 to $50
- Judges: $30 to $50
- Clerks: $14 to $30
- Sheriffs: $14 to $30
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This action also would add pay for counters and couriers. Counters’ pay rates would move from a maximum of $135 to $175, and couriers would up from $17 an hour to $150 a day, plus mileage.
The commissioners must ratify the amendments at a future meeting. They say this step is meant to demonstrate their intent to grant the raises so the county can attract potential poll workers.
The action comes two days after the county election board recommended the changes. Members say the current rates aren’t keeping up with the cost of living in Monroe County.
The board will set the exact amounts poll workers receive after the commissioners decide on a range specified in the code.
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Moreland said at a previous board meeting that some won’t work the polls unless the pay is increased.
She also cited absentee election workers’ recent raises as another reason to grant higher pay for other workers. The county council approved the raises for absentee election workers, which allows them to make between $20 and $33 an hour, depending on their role.
Monroe County needs 300 workers to staff its 30 voting sites, according to Moreland.
