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House approves optional use of prospective jurors as poll workers
Summary
House Bill 5‑60 passed to allow county clerks the option to recruit prospective jurors as poll workers, with sponsors saying the choice is discretionary and no numeric limits were set; members asked whether widespread use could deplete juries.
The House passed House Bill 5‑60, which would permit county clerks to use prospective jurors as poll workers at the clerk’s option. The sponsor described the measure as a tool to help fill poll‑worker shortages: prospective jurors may be given the option to serve as poll workers in lieu of jury service, and doing so would relieve them of jury duty for the relevant period.
During a brief floor exchange, members asked whether the bill set any caps or limits to prevent depletion of juror pools if many prospective jurors opted to serve as poll workers. The sponsor said no numerical caps were specified and that the option is discretionary for county clerks; another exchange clarified the program would be projected in advance and not intended to replace absent poll workers on short notice.
The House recorded the bill’s passage on the floor and will transmit the measure to the Senate.
