A bill passed in 2023 to increase precinct official pay went into effect July 1 – doubling the pay precinct officials receive for a workday.

State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax said he is confident the increase in pay will support recruitment efforts across the state.

Kingfisher County Election Board Secretary Shawna Butts is hopeful the significant increase will entice even more people to be willing to work on election days.

“Precinct officials are vital to the success of elections,” Ziriax said.

“We are extremely grateful to our state leaders for passing legislation that not only shows our current poll workers how much we appreciate them – but also supports recruitment and retention efforts across the state.”

Butts said she’s trained dozens of people to be able to work at the polls, but currently has about half of that number available and not all of them are available for each election day.

“It certainly does not hurt to have some more,” Butts said.

State law requires each precinct to have a minimum of three precinct offi cials – an inspector, judge and clerk.

On July 1, inspector pay increased from $110 a day to $225 a day.

Pay for judges and clerks increased from $100 a day to $200 a day.

No experience is necessary to serve as a precinct official, but you must be willing and able to work long hours and have reliable transportation, Butts said.

You must also work in the county where you are registered to vote.

Training is mandatory and will be provided.

Voters interested in serving as a precinct official should contact Butts. She can be reached at the Kingfi sher County Election Board office at 405-375-3895 or via email at kingfishercounty@ elections.ok. gov.

General information about becoming a poll worker is available on the State Election Board website at https://oklahoma.gov/elections/ volunteer/ poll- worker- opportunities. html.