Elections director reports poll-worker recruitment, polling-place surveys and facility upgrades; House budget omits statewide pay increases

Director Marie Smalls reported several operational updates to the Beaufort County Board of Voter Registration and Elections on March 26: poll-worker recruitment and training is ongoing with 39 new trainees added so far, polling-place accessibility surveys are nearly complete, facility security improvements and interior door replacements are planned, and the House budget proposal contains one-time and recurring election funding but does not include proposed increases to poll-worker and board-member stipends.

Marie Smalls said the office has held two recent new-poll-worker training sessions — March dates drew 23 and 16 attendees, respectively — and that the county has added 39 prospective poll workers to the database. She thanked board members Jean and Wendell for help with recruiting and training.

Smalls said the office has completed 96% of planned polling-place surveys; three locations remain to be surveyed, and the Bluffton Recreation Center showed one door that did not comply with accessibility standards but had an alternate accessible doorway the office could use.

Capital projects and other facilities work: Smalls said county CIP (capital improvements) project managers surveyed the elections office for security upgrades and recommended internal changes; she said she would provide board members with a written report rather than discuss security specifics at length in open session. She added that five interior wooden doors will be replaced with steel doors and that windows and other FY2026 projects will be scheduled in the next budget cycle if not completed in the current year. She said there was no update on a generator procurement but expected more information by the board's next meeting.

Budget and legislation: Smalls briefed the board on election-related items in the House budget proposal: $11 million one-time for statewide voting equipment upgrades and $4 million in recurring election-related funding were in the House proposal discussed with board members. She said the House proposal did not include increases to board member stipends or increases to poll-worker pay (a $75/day standard that had been discussed for increase to $100/day). Smalls noted Beaufort County Council has approved an additional $100 per day for Beaufort County poll workers; any state-level proviso would add on top of the county provision if adopted.

Other items: Smalls reported training by the county risk management office (defensive driving) for six staff members, an end-of-life planning seminar for staff, and that council chambers will be unavailable in April because of renovations so the board meeting will be held in the elections office. She also announced that one board member, Mike, completed certification and another certified board member should be added after the next meeting.

Why it matters: The reports cover election operations that affect staffing, accessibility and equipment budgets ahead of 2026 planning. The absence of state-level pay increases for poll workers and board members in the House budget was a point of concern; the board discussed whether to engage the legislative delegation on pay and training issues.

What the board asked: Members asked whether the delegation could be approached regarding poll-worker pay increases and whether county budget submissions could be amended if additional staff are needed; staff replied that the county's FY2026 submittal is already in and cannot be amended now, though the board will include staffing requests in delegation communications for the precinct-split proposal.