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Committee backs bill letting prospective jurors volunteer as poll workers, with two-year juror excusal
Summary
The Senate State Affairs Committee advanced H 560, which would allow county clerks to draw poll workers from the state jury-duty pool and permit certain prospective jurors to volunteer at polls; satisfactory service would excuse them from jury duty for two years.
The Senate State Affairs Committee voted to send H 560 to the Senate floor with a do-pass recommendation after sponsors said the bill would give county clerks discretion to request poll workers from the state jury-duty pool.
Senator Hart, who introduced the measure, said the proposal lets county clerks pull potential jurors for upcoming elections and offers certain prospective jurors the option to serve as poll workers. If a volunteer’s work is judged satisfactory, the bill would excuse that person from jury duty for two years. Senator Den Hartog supported the concept as a way to broaden participation in poll working among Idahoans.
Committee members noted that county clerks the sponsor consulted were in favor of the change. Senator Den Hartog moved to send H 560 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation; Senator Toews seconded the motion. The motion carried by voice vote; no recorded roll-call tally was provided in the minutes.
The bill next goes to the full Senate for consideration.
