Holsclaw Raises Poll Worker Pay

The pay for officers who work on Election Day in Jefferson County will be raised for the first time since 2004 as an incentive to attract more civic volunteers.Poll workers will receive an additional $10 for attending a mandatory training session and an extra $20 for working at the polls. The current rate pays $15 the the two and a half hour class and $105 to monitor the voting booths.With around 500 precincts, Jefferson County is the most populous in the state, however, the pay rate is one of the lowest for election officers.Jefferson County Clerk Bobbie Holsclaw say the pay raise is an incentive to adequately pay longtime poll workers and attract younger civic volunteers, who she hopes will participate in the 2011 statewide races."Jobs are very scarce right now and we’re hoping that some of our college students will step forward and this would be a great way for them to be involved in the voting process. And hopefully $150 for the day will encourage that somewhat," she says.The new rate will take effect November 8.The polls are usually staffed by two Democratic and two Republican election officers, but Holsclaw says registered independents can also volunteer. The clerk's office is taking applications for this year's general election starting Monday.