Discuss and consider approving a pay increase for early voting alternate supervisors and clerks for the 2022 Democratic and Republican Primary elections to be held on March 1, 2022.

Commissioners’ Court is the authority that sets poll worker pay rates according to Section 32.093 of the Texas Election Code.

The Court last approved an hourly pay increase for election judges and clerks in 2013. Election Day Presiding Judges and Early Voting Supervisors are currently compensated at a rate of $12 per hour. Election Day and Early Voting Clerks are currently compensated at a rate of $10 per hour.

In 2019, the Texas State legislature approved an increase for all Election Day poll workers raising the hourly rate of pay reimbursable by the State Election Day positions from $8.00 per hour to $12.00 per hour. Under this current pay structure, early voting clerks are being asked to perform work in a Primary election for less compensation than Election Day clerks.

Williamson County has seen rapid growth and a stark increase in cost of living. Poll workers have expressed hesitancy to continue working for the currently offered compensation when positions with significantly higher rates of pay are so readily available. Party chairs and representatives have also expressed difficulties in recruiting new workers due in part to low compensation.

Poll workers have also been required to subject themselves to increased exposure during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This exposure is increased significantly when stretched across the approximately two-week Early Voting period.

For the reasons stated above, it is requested that the compensation for Early Voting Alternate Supervisors and Clerks be increased for the 2022 Primary election to match the Election Day wage of $12 per hour.  This increase will result in an increase of approximately $50,800.00. The County share of poll worker wages are funded through line item 01.0100.0492.0041 (Professional Services) in the General Fund.