Bracken County approves raise for poll workers; several magistrates abstain

The Bracken County Fiscal Court voted to raise poll-worker pay to $175 for Election Day and $25 for training, bringing total compensation to $200. County Clerk Jennifer Free told the court turnout was about 62.58% and the Board of Elections recommended the increase to better compensate poll workers who typically serve roughly 14-hour days.

Free described the current pay at $125 for Election Day and $25 for training and said the raise would increase hourly pay from about $9 to about $13. The Board of Elections noted it has roughly 40 returning poll workers who help run county elections.

Magistrate David Couch moved to approve the increase; the motion was seconded by Heather Brumley. During the roll call several magistrates abstained, citing they or close relatives work the polls. The clerk said the board will decide whether to apply the raise to the unpaid 2024 election or wait until the next election the workers serve.

The court approved the pay increase with recorded abstentions from members who work the polls or have family who work the polls. The clerk said poll workers "are the lifeline of our elections" and that the increase was intended to recognize their responsibilities.

What happens next: the Board of Elections will work with the clerk and the fiscal office to implement the pay change and to determine whether it applies to the most recent unpaid election or the next election cycle.