Cobb County Election Board proposes stipend increase for chair and members

The Cobb County Board of Elections and Registration convened on June 23, 2025, to discuss critical issues surrounding election administration and board member compensation. The meeting highlighted the increasing workload faced by board members due to the implementation of Dominion voting machines and the evolving nature of election processes.

The chair initiated discussions on the need for a stipend increase, noting that the current compensation structure has remained unchanged for over 30 years. The proposed adjustments included a monthly stipend of $600 for the chair and $500 for other board members, reflecting the significant time commitment required for meetings and election-related duties. This proposal was compared to compensation in neighboring counties, such as Fulton and Gwinnett, which have higher stipends for their election boards.

Members expressed concerns about the budgetary process, emphasizing the urgency of submitting the stipend increase request before the county's budget approval timeline. The board discussed the possibility of implementing the new stipend effective August 1, 2025, to accommodate incoming board members, although some members suggested that a later start date of October 1 might be more realistic.

After deliberation, a motion was made to request the Board of Commissioners to approve the stipend increase, which passed with a vote of 3 in favor and 1 abstention. The board agreed to prepare a memo outlining the request, which must be submitted by June 27 to meet the agenda cutoff for the upcoming Board of Commissioners meeting.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the board's commitment to addressing the challenges of modern election administration while advocating for fair compensation for its members. The next steps involve finalizing the memo for submission and preparing for the upcoming budget discussions.