Schuylkill County approves election staffing, drivers and temporary polling-site changes ahead of May 19 primary

The Schuylkill County Board of Commissioners on March 25 unanimously approved a series of staffing and logistics measures for the May 19, 2026 primary election. Commissioner Barron Hetherington moved the measures and Commissioner Gary Hess seconded; all three commissioners voted aye.

The board authorized hiring 12 election rovers immediately for office preparation and election‑day logistics at $12 per hour, with mileage reimbursed at $0.725 per mile. Two named subcontractors were approved for on‑call use. The board also approved four resolution board members for the Schuylkill Transportation Systems building on election day, each to be paid $100.

The county approved 11 drivers to deliver election supplies and equipment, listing per‑person compensation amounts, and approved six subcontractors for machine delivery at a rate of $14 per hour as needed. Separately, seven subcontractors were approved at $75 per day beginning May 22, 2026, to perform the 2% computation and canvassing of returns in the Election Bureau office.

Because of facility repairs and office relocation, the board approved two temporary polling‑site changes: the Gilberton precinct polling place will move from American Hose Company (2315 High St.) to Continental Hose (229 Main St.), and the Palo Alto 2nd Ward polling site will move from the borough office to Citizens Fire Company #1 in Pottsville. Both changes were approved unanimously.

The measures were presented by the county during the meeting as part of routine election preparations; the motions recorded the names of the hires, the pay rates, and the temporary sites to ensure operational readiness for the primary.