The Escambia County (Ala.) Commission passed a resolution Monday to ask the county's legislative delegation to pass a statewide bill that will raise the pay for poll workers to $150 per day and $175 per day for the poll's chief clerk.
Under current state law, poll workers are paid $100 per day with the supervisor receiving $125. The commission voted to give poll workers a $25 raise during the last election, but is now asking the Legislature to pass a bill to increase the pay.
Under current law, the state pays half of the poll workers' pay with the county paying the other half. If workers have to go to the polls with only state or federal elections on the ballot, the state pays 100 percent.
Probate Judge Doug Agerton, who serves as an election official, said he applauded the commission's decision to ask for the statewide bill. He added that it's getting harder to get qualified people to work at the polls.
“We've got a lot of great poll workers and I'm proud of the workers we have,” Agerton said. “They do a great job.”
Agerton said with the exception of a few cliches here and there, there have been no major issues in Escambia County elections.
“For what they are getting paid, it's more of a public service,” he said. “They need to be compensated for the work they do.”
“It's a very important job,” Agerton said of poll workers. “I don't think they've gotten a raise since about 2000.”
Commission Chairman Raymond Wiggins said while the polls are open from 7 a.m to 7 p.m., poll workers have to be there an hour early to get things set up and stay about an hour later to do the final tally.
“It was too late to ask the Legislature for a raise last year,” Wiggins said. “So, we're now asking Rep. (Alan) Baker to introduce a bill to increase the pay statewide.”
