Beach, Cryan Bill to Increase Pay for Election Workers Advances

Trenton – Legislation sponsored by Senator James Beach and Senator Joseph Cryan which would raise pay for election workers to $275 per day, passed the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee today.

“Our election workers do so much for us on Election Day, it is only reasonable for them to be compensated in a fair manner,” said Senator Beach (D-Burlington/Camden).  “Polls are open from 6 am to 8 pm, but poll workers are oftentimes there much earlier and later than those times.  This increase will be more reflective of the work they are tasked to do, including setting up and closing polls, signing in voters and helping them operate the machines.”

The bill, S-598, would increase the compensation of election workers from $200 per day to $275 per day. The bill would also increase the amount the State reimburses counties for compensation of election workers from $125 to $200 per worker per day.

“Assuming they work a 15 hour day, the current hourly rate for poll workers is only $13.33, which is not fair compensation for all that they are responsible for doing,” said Senator Cryan (D-Union).  “With this increase, that rate would be brought up to $18.33 an hour.  It is difficult to recruit citizens to become poll workers, but this pay increase will be a great incentive to encourage citizens to take a more active role in the voting process.”

In addition, this bill would appropriate $5,000,000 to the Department of State to reimburse the counties for the costs of implementing the bill’s provisions.

The bill cleared committee by a vote of 5-0.