House panel advances pay increase for election commissioners to aid recruitment

The House Appropriations Committee reported House Bill 2 23 favorable after more than 40 minutes of testimony and questions about how to recruit and retain election commissioners.

The bill, carried in committee by Representative Domingue, would increase pay for polling place workers by $50 per person across several certification tiers. Secretary of State Nancy Landry testified the increase is a modest step to make the job more attractive as many commissioners are retiring and the average age of poll workers is about 65.

“This bill is 1 of the instruments in our voter protection package this year,” Secretary of State Nancy Landry said. “Our elections commissioners work really long and hard hours. They work 15 to 17 hours a day or more on election day, and the work that they do is vital.”

Representatives and local clerks emphasized that the pay increase is intended to help recruitment amid two policy changes coming to Louisiana elections: closed primaries and a planned new voting system. Lynn Jones, Calcasieu Parish clerk of court, told the committee her parish needs about 700 poll workers for an election and has struggled to retain them; after Hurricane Laura the parish lost hundreds of long-time commissioners.

Questions from committee members focused on where the money would come from and how the pay bump is structured. Landry said the office would pay commissioners directly based on lists submitted by clerks of court; the secretary’s staff said there are no administrative deductions and that taxes are withheld from the stipend. Committee members clarified the current and proposed pay levels: a commissioner in charge currently receives $250 for a full election day and would receive $300 under the bill; certified commissioners now receive $100 and would receive $150; certified commissioners in a charge role would move from $200 to $250 under the proposal.

Lawmakers also pressed whether the Senate budget included the funds. Landry said she had not confirmed inclusion in the Senate budget but that Senate leaders had expressed support while noting funding must be found. Several legislators urged focusing increases on the lowest-paid workers, saying $100 per day is far below minimum wage given 16-hour workdays; Representative Marcel said the $100 tier equates to roughly $6.25 per hour under current schedules.

After public testimony from clerks of court underscoring recruitment challenges, Representative Marceau moved the bill favorably. With no objection, the committee reported House Bill 2 23 favorable.

The bill now moves to the full House for further consideration.