Commissioners ask election board to weigh in on proposed pay for absentee counters and couriers

Monroe County commissioners discussed Ordinance 2024-18 on April 10, a proposal to amend chapter 2.87 to add two categories of election workers — absentee ballot counters and couriers — and to set not-to-exceed per-diem ranges under IC 3-11.572. Miss Turner King presented the proposal and described the duties of the two categories: absentee counters process ballots received before and on election day and verify signatures before opening ballots; couriers transport materials between Election Central and poll sites.

Kaylee, the county election supervisor, told the board absentee counters must report at 5 a.m. so they can take an oath and complete the brief morning training required before ballot opening starts at 6:01 a.m. She said the training and oath are prerequisites to beginning the processing workflow: “We start opening the ballots exactly at 06:01AM, and so they have that hour to get everything in, make sure that they're set up,” Kaylee said.

County staff presented proposed pay adjustments drawn from the clerk’s office that would increase several per-diem or daily rates. The materials provided to commissioners listed not-to-exceed amounts including $135 for absentee counters (the amount currently reflected in the salary ordinance) and up to $150 for couriers; staff also discussed proposed inspector and judge daily rates in the $150–$200 range and a proposed courier rate expressed as about $17.17 per hour plus mileage. Kaylee told the board some poll workers have said they would not work the upcoming election if election-day pay is not raised, arguing recruitment could be affected.

Board members and staff clarified statutory roles. Miss Turner King said county code section 2.87 gives the election board authority to set a specific amount within a range, while the county council has set hourly/per-diem rates for certain absentee or pre-election categories by resolution. Commissioners agreed the election board should consider the proposed rates and return a recommendation quickly because onboarding and recruitment are time-sensitive.

Rather than acting immediately, the commissioners asked Miss Turner King to contact election board members about calling a special meeting to make a recommendation before the next commissioners’ meeting. The ordinance was not adopted on April 10; the board requested the election board’s formal recommendation before further action.

What’s next: Miss Turner King said she would reach out to election board members to schedule a meeting before the next commission meeting so the board can take up a recommendation in short order.