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Elections staff: Franklin County used 492 poll workers for May primary; state limits pay to $200
Summary
County elections staff briefed commissioners on poll-worker staffing: 73 polling places, 492 poll workers for the May 19 primary, recruitment and training details, and that the state caps poll-worker pay at $200; commissioners discussed potential special-election costs if a vacancy arises.
Elections staff briefed Franklin County commissioners on poll-worker staffing and training, reporting that the county deployed 492 poll workers for the May 19 primary across 73 polling places.
The elections presenter explained each polling place has a judge of election plus majority and minority inspectors; clerks are assigned based on precinct size. Staff described recruitment tools including a volunteer list, surveys of availability and additional training sessions this cycle to support new judges and inspectors. The presenter said judges and inspectors were elected last year to four-year terms and that some precincts had multiple clerks while smaller precincts may have none.
A commissioner asked about poll-worker pay; the presenter said the maximum amount that can be paid in Pennsylvania is $200 (based on state rules). During discussion Commissioner (speaker 2) raised a concern that a potential special election—cited in relation to a possible federal appointment of a named state senator—would be costly to run outside regular election days; staff said they would need to investigate whether the Department of State would provide funding for such a special election.
The board praised elections staff for managing staffing and training, and no formal action was recorded on the item.
