House approves tax break for poll workers as SC struggles to recruit enough of them
COLUMBIA — A bill that would put a little extra cash in poll workers’ pockets passed the House unanimously Thursday. Election officials cheered any help they can get in recruiting poll workers.
The legislation exempts poll workers’ rather measly pay from state income taxes. Officially, it would match the federal tax code, which already exempts up to $2,300 annually of poll workers’ pay from federal income taxes.
South Carolina pays poll workers $60 for several hours of mandatory, pre-election training and $75 on Election Day, for a total of $135 for what can be a 16-hour day. While precincts are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., poll workers must be there by 6 a.m. and stay as long as it takes for people still in line at 7 p.m. to vote, then process ballots.
Some counties supplement that rate.
https://scdailygazette.com/2026/02/05/house-approves-tax-break-for-poll-workers-as-sc-struggles-to-recruit-enough-of-them/
