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HOLLIDAYSBURG -- Those who staff Blair County's voting polls will make more money this year.
The county elections board voted Monday in favor of setting new pay rates for those who staff the county's 93 polls for what's at least a 13-hour workday.
Director of Elections Sarah Seymour said her department's 2022 budget includes money to cover the higher pay levels.
The county's last pay raise for those staffing the precincts was in 2015.
On Monday, Seymour asked elections board members -- commissioners Laura Burke and Bruce Erb -- for approval on the new pay rates that will go into effect starting with the May 17 primary.
Commissioner Amy Webster, who chairs the elections board, was absent.
The rates approved increase the pay for a precinct judge of elections to $150 from the current pay level of $95 or $115.
The new rates set precinct pay for inspectors and clerks at $125 from their current levels ranging from $85 to $110.
Collectively, the judge of elections, plus the inspectors and clerks, are responsible for opening the precinct and managing the voting process, then making sure the returns are delivered to the county highway yard for counting.
The elections board also approved Seymour's request for an additional payment of $20 to the judge of elections for picking up their precinct's poll book and supplies at the county's elections office.
The county has traditionally relied on its highway department employees to deliver the poll books and supplies to each judge's residence. Changing that process, Seymour said, will allow the poll books to be printed after the deadline passes for mail-in applications.
So the poll books that are picked up, she said, will label all voters who requested a mail-in ballot.
Erb offered his support for the change by stating: "This will make for a more efficient election."
Seymour also mentioned that her office has received applications, via the state's website, from county residents interested in staffing their local precinct on election day.
"I think we're doing well at this time," Seymour said of preparations for the May 17 primary. "But there's always an unexpected emergency ... or we're looking for someone at the last minute, so I'd love to have more."
Information is posted on the vote.pa.gov website.
Erb and Burke also voted in favor of three poll changes for the May 17 primary.
Voters in Altoona's 6th Ward, 4th Precinct, who last voted at the Jaggard United Methodist Church, will vote at The Mill, 2400 Eighth Ave., the former silk mill that's been renovated for retail, restaurant, office and residential use.
Voters in Hollidaysburg Ward 1, who last voted at the courthouse, will be voting at the Hollidaysburg Area Public Library, 1 Furnace Road.
Voters in Hollidaysburg Ward 2, who last voted at the courthouse, will be voting at the Blair Regional YMCA, 1111 Hewitt St.
The courthouse, which used to be closed on election days, will be open on May 17 based on a change in the county's calendar, thereby requiring the voting precincts to be moved.
Seymour said that postcard notices of the polling changes will be mailed to the affected voters. Notices have also been posted at the affected buildings.
On May 17, large signs will be set up at the former polling locations to make voters aware of the change. Maps will also be posted to help voters find their voting location, she said.
Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 814-946-7456.