San Rafael, CA – With California’s revised minimum wage law in mind, the Marin County Board of Supervisors gave a $25 raise to Election Day poll workers during Tuesday’s regular meeting. It was the first stipend boost for Marin poll workers in eight years.
Marin County Registrar of Voters Lynda Roberts anticipates needing 324 clerks, 139 deputies, 96 chiefs and nine rovers for the Nov. 4 election.
“The operation of polling places depends on poll workers, so it can be a challenge to find enough people,” Roberts said. “I believe they deserve this increase because we value the service they provide to the voters. Also, the raise could help us with recruitment.”
With the new regulations, poll clerks will receive $125, up from $100, poll station deputies go from $125 to $150, poll station chiefs go from $150 to $175 and Election Day rovers go from $250 to $275. The total estimated cost to the County for the November election is expected to be about $14,200. The cost from election to election depends on the number of precincts. Even though the Elections Department is a General Fund department, jurisdictions that consolidate an election with a statewide election will share in the cost.
Poll workers clock in 14-16 hours on election days and sometimes work the day before an election to set up equipment. In a countywide election, there are generally 96 Marin polling stations.
Effective July 1, 2014, the minimum wage in California became $9 per hour, and the $25 raise for Marin poll workers reflects that amount.