State Representative James Lomax (R – Huntsville) announced on Thursday that Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has signed into law his bill that provides a $25 pay increase for poll workers in Alabama and helps ensure that elections across the state remain fully staffed and voting remains easily accessible for all.
“The men and women who work in almost 2,000 polling places across 67 counties provide an invaluable service to their fellow Alabamians, but despite working as long as 16 hours in a day, their pay has not been increased since 2006,” Rep. Lomax said. “Recruiting, retaining, and rewarding our poll workers is essential to conducting efficient and honest elections, and in these times of skyrocketing inflation and a tightening economy, any increase we can offer is helpful.”
Madison County Probate Judge Frank Barger, who served as election administrator, applauded Lomax for his efforts. Barger said that he witnessed firsthand the dedication that poll workers demonstrate each election season.
“Poll workers are the front-line defense for ensuring our secure and well-run elections,” Barger said. “I am so pleased to see compensation increased statewide for our dedicated election workers.”
Probate judges across the state have reported a decrease in those willing to work the polls following the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, which some say was marred by fraud in parts of the nation. This has led to some areas having to run advertisements encouraging citizens to serve. Others have had to resort to recruiting high school students to work alongside veteran precinct workers, many of whom are retired seniors.
“In order to make sure voting is quick, simple, and easy for every Alabamian who wants to participate, we must have a sufficient number of workers available,” Lomax said. “That requires local officials to continually recruit and train new workers each election, and I am confident this pay increase will assist them in those efforts.”
House Bill 435 (HB435) is estimated to cost the state general fund (SGF) an additional $396,000 per general election, according to the fiscal note.
“Bill review is a wrap,” said Ivey on Twitter. “I have officially signed 527 bills and resolutions into law. I thank the Legislature for prioritizing keeping Alabama strong and prosperous for many years to come.”
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