What's happening
This bill increases the minimum daily pay for New York City election inspectors to $300 and coordinators to $400.
Why it matters
Addresses recruitment and retention challenges. By significantly raising pay for election inspectors and coordinators, the bill aims to attract a larger, more reliable pool of workers and reduce staffing shortages that can affect election day operations.
Recognizes the complexity and importance of election work. The increased compensation acknowledges the long hours, responsibility, and potential stress election workers face, particularly in New York City, where elections can be especially busy and complex.
Potentially improves election day experience for voters. Better-compensated, well-staffed polling sites are likely to run more efficiently, reducing wait times and minimizing errors, which can boost public trust in the electoral process.
Creates a financial impact for New York City. By mandating higher minimum payments, the bill will increase city expenditures on elections, which could affect budgeting for other city services or prompt further policy discussions about election administration costs.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Raise Poll Worker Pay
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to elections
- Referred to elections
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Raise Poll Worker Pay
In Assembly Committee · Election Law · Sponsor William Colton
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2511
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 25, 2019
Introduced by Sen. KRUEGER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Elections
AN ACT to amend the election law, in relation to the compensation of election inspectors and coordinators
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 3-420 of the election law, as amended by chapter 180 of the laws of 2005, is amended to read as follows:
1. Election inspectors, poll clerks, election coordinators and qualified voters appointed to act in place of an absent inspector, clerk or coordinator shall be paid for their services on the days of registration and election, by the county containing the election district in which they serve, in an amount fixed by the county legislative body, subject to such limitations as shall be prescribed or authorized by statute, except that in the city of New York the amount of such compensation shall be payable by such city and shall be fixed by the mayor at a daily rate which, in the case of election inspectors shall not be less than [one hundred thirty] three hundred dollars and in the case of election coordinators not less than [two hundred] four hundred dollars. Such inspectors, poll clerks, election coordinators and qualified voters at a general or special village election conducted by the board of elections shall be paid by such village in an amount fixed by the village board of trustees subject to any such limitations.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04860-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the election law, in relation to the compensation of election inspectors and coordinators
Purpose or general idea of bill
To increase the pay of election inspectors and coordinators SUMMARY: OF
Specific provisions
Amends subdivision 1 of section 3-420 of the election law to increase pay of election inspectors from no less than $130 to no less than $300, and election coordinators from no less than $200 to no less than $400
Justification
In light of many recent election scandals around the country resulting from unqualified election workers, New York State must attempt to attract the most competent and well qualified inspectors and coordina- tors for its elections. The best way to attract competent workers is to increase compensation for those jobs. This need for competent election inspectors and coordinators is especially important in light of the upgrades that New York State is currently bringing to its election equipment. As we convert our elections to electronic voting machines, we must ensure that our inspectors and coordinators are even more competent and well trained to deal with this new equipment.
Prior legislative history
2017-18: S.4170/A.7044 Colton - Elections Comm 2015-16: S.5322/A.4698 Colton - Elections Comm
Fiscal implications
To be determined
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.