Election Day poll workers in Marion County to receive increased pay

Election Day poll workers in Marion County will get a boost in pay. 

A new bi-partisan proposal approved by the Indianapolis City-County Council and signed by the mayor will increase pay for clerks working the poll this election, from $100 to $180 a day. Inspectors will make $40 more than before, now totaling $240 a day.

The primary role of poll workers is to make sure elections run smoothly. Workers may be tasked with setting up equipment, signing in voters and monitoring the voting process.

Lindsey Baker has worked the polls since 2016 and now serves as an inspector.

“The goal that day is to get every eligible voter voted,” Baker said.

People who work as inspectors are required to attend training, and clerks are encouraged to do so. Residents who want to work the polls must be a registered voter in Marion County and be able to work a full day, from setup to teardown.

Marion County Clerk Kate Sweeney Bell said the pay raise is an important move.

“Election Day for poll workers consists of long hours, and hard work. This acknowledgment will be well received by our friends and neighbors who serve the voters of Marion County,” Sweeny Bell said.

There are still many positions open for Indianapolis residents who want to help the voting process on November 5. The clerk’s office says it will accept applications up until the weekend before Election Day.

The goal is to overstaff the polls if possible, in order to handle an expected increase in voters.

The new proposal, co-authored by a council Democrat and Republican, also increases pay for Absentee Voter Board workers.