Collin County election judge asks court to review polling staff wages
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Summary
At a Collin County Commissioner—s Court meeting, an election judge asked commissioners to review and adjust the wage structure for election workers at the Renner Frankford Library polling place, citing morale, retention and public-facing duties. Court staff said the annual budget workshop in August will be the opportunity to consider the request.
Janet Plotkin, an election judge at the Renner Frankford Library polling place in Collin County, used public comment time at the Commissioner—s Court meeting to present a petition asking the court to review and adjust the wage structure for polling staff.
"Polling locations are the face of elections," Plotkin said, noting that election workers often are the public—s only direct contact with the process. "We are the voice reassuring the public about the integrity of elections." She said the petition represents election staff at the Renner Frankford Library and called for a "fair and timely market driven wage adjustment" to improve morale, productivity and retention.
Plotkin identified herself as an election judge who has served in Collin County for 25 years and said her polling place regularly receives positive feedback from voters. She said a market-driven wage increase would recognize staff work and align with what she described as the court—s goals of valuing its workforce and prudent stewardship of taxpayer funds.
Court staff told Plotkin that the county holds an annual budget workshop in August "where we look at all the expenses and forecast for the next year" and that the workshop will be the appropriate forum to discuss wage adjustments.
No specific wage amounts, timeline for any change, or immediate directive from the court were provided at the meeting. The petition was received during public comment and will be considered through the county—s budget process later this year.