Chester County Board approves retroactive pay for poll workers after court‑ordered extended voting hours
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Summary
The Chester County Board of Elections unanimously approved resolution BOE 0126 to authorize pay for election officers for court‑ordered extended polling hours; poll workers and judges of elections urged higher compensation, and callers asked for a county cost estimate and accountability for the poll‑book error.
The Chester County Board of Elections on Jan. 3 approved resolution BOE 0126, authorizing retroactive pay for election officers who worked additional hours when voting was extended by court order during the November election.
The motion to adopt the resolution was made and seconded during the meeting’s routine business and passed by voice vote. Board chair Josh Maxwell announced the passage after members responded "Aye." The resolution was described as constrained by state limits on compensation.
Several poll workers spoke during the agenda‑item public comment period. Eric Clark, who identified himself as a longtime poll worker, said the extra hours amounted to a 12‑hour day and criticized the proposed increase as insufficient: “It wasn't just 2 extra hours. It was 2 extra hours under penalty of being arrested,” he said. Judge of elections Michael Abaladejo asked commissioners for an accounting of the total taxpayer cost for the error (investigation fees, added pay, overtime, supplies and outside workers) and demanded accountability for what he called a disenfranchising mistake.
The board and county staff said they will provide additional fiscal estimates to the public. The resolution was processed as part of the meeting’s consent/agenda items before an extended question‑and‑answer and public comment period on the investigation and county action plan.