Elkhart County has been getting several calls about election works not being paid on time.

Elkhart County Democratic Party Chairman Chad Crabtree says while it normally takes four to six weeks for poll workers to get paid, it has taken almost ten weeks for Elkhart County workers.

Crabtree says the slow payments have a lasting impact, as he is already looking towards the next election cycle.

According to WSBT, he says he and the Republican county chair are likely to face struggles when it comes to getting poll workers as they aren’t being paid in a timely manner.

The Elkhart County Commissioners released the following statement:

The Elkhart County Commissioners have been receiving numerous complaints regarding the delays experienced by poll workers in receiving their compensation. The Commissioners passed Ordinance Number CO-2024-13 on April 1, 2024, to properly and timely compensate workers in compliance with both State and Federal law. The Commissioners and the Auditor’s Office have been working diligently to compensate poll workers; however, the County cannot legally pay poll workers until the Clerk’s Office has submitted the forms required for payment. The Clerk’s Office has been approached numerous times regarding poll workers who have not been paid. While the Auditor’s Office and the Commissioners are sympathetic to poll workers and have tried to motivate the Clerk to manage the situation, the Clerk is an elected official who must take responsibility for submitting the necessary payroll data and forms. Any payment questions should be directed to the Clerk’s Office.