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County staff urges raising election judge pay to $175 in 2026, $200 in 2027
Summary
A county staff member told the Boone County finance committee that election judges currently receive $145 per election day and proposed boosting pay to $175 beginning Jan. 1, 2026 and to $200 in 2027; staff said the current budget line can cover the 2026 increase and the state reimburses $65 per judge.
Amy Olsen presented a proposal to the Boone County Committee of the Whole for Finance to increase election judge pay, saying current election-day pay is $145 and proposing a two-step increase to $175 on Jan. 1, 2026 and $200 in January 2027.
Olsen told the committee Boone County employs about 150 election judges, needs roughly five judges per polling place for 37 precincts and would still have funds in the 2026 election wages line to cover the $175 rate even at maximum staffing. She added that the state reimburses $65 per judge per election, which offsets county costs.
Board members compared Boones rate with nearby counties, with members noting some counties pay substantially more or use third-party staffing. Marion Thornberry and other board members generally said Olsens request was reasonable based on a quick survey of surrounding counties; Dave Wilson and others expressed support citing the long election-day hours.
Olsen said the county is consulting with the state's attorney to determine whether a resolution, ordinance or simple board vote is needed to enact the change and will report back once the legal path is clear.
