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Panel backs bill to exempt poll-worker pay from state income tax to aid recruitment
Summary
The subcommittee reported House Bill 3551 favorably after election officials said exempting modest poll-worker pay from state income tax and retirement withholding would keep more money in retirees' pockets and ease recruitment and administrative burdens for counties.
A legislative subcommittee voted to report House Bill 3551 favorably after election officials said exempting poll-worker pay from state income tax (and certain retirement withholdings) would strengthen recruitment and reduce administrative burdens.
Lynn West, an elections director who previously served as a poll worker, told the committee retired state employees are a key source of poll workers but often are deterred when modest pay is reduced by taxes and retirement withholding. "When somebody steps up to serve their precinct for one day, they should be able to keep all the money they earn," West said, noting a typical $135 election-day payment can be reduced by sales-tax-like deductions and retirement contributions.
Why it matters: West said deductions and the risk of affecting retirement paperwork can discourage retirees from serving. She described training and the long days poll workers perform, saying the bill would reduce confusion, reduce county payroll overtime used to process one-day changes and help counties maintain staffing for secure elections.
Agency view: Jenny Wooten, interim director at the South Carolina Election Commission, said the agency has no formal position on the bill but acknowledged county election directors had raised the recruiting issue and that the bill would be helpful to counties; the commission does not expect administrative conflicts.
Committee action: With no amendments offered, the subcommittee moved the bill for a favorable report; staff called the roll and recorded "aye" votes, and the chair said the bill received a favorable report. The chair also credited Lynn West as the bill's originator and said the full committee will consider the measure in the near future.
Details from testimony: West said poll workers typically earn about $135 for the day and that deductions such as a 6% sales-tax-equivalent (about $8) and roughly 9% for retiree contributions (about $12) can substantially reduce net pay for retirees; she described the fiscal impact to the state as negligible but the benefit to recruitment as significant.
Next steps: The subcommittee sent HB 3551 to the full committee for further consideration.
