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Committee advances bill to let students serve as poll workers with training and age limits
Summary
House Bill 1492 would allow students (with minimum-age and training requirements) to serve as poll workers to help counties with an aging pool of poll workers; the committee passed the bill by voice vote.
The Senate State Agencies & Governmental Affairs committee approved House Bill 1492 after a brief presentation. Representative Lundstrom, who brought the bill on behalf of the Election Commission and civics teachers, said it would allow students to serve at the polls (with participation in training) to help offset an aging pool of poll workers.
Lundstrom said the state has an average poll-worker age around 71 and that some polling places are short-staffed; the bill would allow younger people who take required classes to assist. Committee members asked about minimum-age restrictions and were told students 16 and older would be eligible to serve in some capacities while other responsibilities would remain limited to adults; the presenter referenced current code that establishes age limitations and training requirements.
The committee moved and carried the bill on a voice vote. The committee chair thanked the presenter and adjourned the meeting to reconvene after the Senate adjourns.
