Diana Snyder of West Penn Township has worked at the election polls for five years, serving as majority leader.

At 60, she enjoys the work."I like the people. I like to see the people in the township," she said.She's lived in West Penn for 35 years, and recalls poll workers "always being older."Election directors in Schuylkill, Carbon and Monroe counties all say their poll workers are overwhelmingly past retirement age. That could be a concern as the workers decide to retire from their Election Day duties.Snyder is a youngster among poll workers in Schuylkill County."I have 104 workers 65 and older. That total does not include clerks, just the judges and inspectors," said elections chief Frannie Brennan.Last week, Brennan told county commissioners she wants to increase the reimbursement given poll workers to attract more people as the current ones eventually become unable to work.Commissioners will consider her request to increase the amounts from $105 to $130 for judges of elections; from $100 to $110 for inspectors and clerks; from $100 to $110 for constables, and an extra $20 "to accompany the judge of election in transmitting the returns to the (Schuylkill Transportation System) building."Commissioners are likely to approve the increase, which would go into effect in 2018. That's when new four-year terms start for the elected poll worker positions."They're getting a little bit up in age, and we're looking to get some new people at the polls," said Commissioners' Chairman George F. Halcovage Jr.County Administrator Gary R. Bender said after the public meeting Wednesday that the 12-plus-hour Election Day "is a long day" for (older workers).Older poll workers, Brennan said, are hardworking and dependable.It's tough to attract younger people, mostly because of job obligations. Election days fall on Tuesdays."The reason it's difficult to find poll workers is because people have to take a day off from work and use their vacation time. Even then I write a letter to excuse the poll worker," Brennan said.Snyder said that in the past she's asked her son and his friend, and one of her young friends, all in their 20s, to help out at the polls when they were short-handed.One said, "She couldn't miss a day of work to work at the polls."That's the problem, the younger ones can't take off work," Snyder said.In Monroe County, Director of Elections Sara May-Silfee said about 75 percent of her poll workers are over 65."Most of them are great. But it's a lot for them. It's a long day, and it's tiring," she said.It is "very difficult to find poll workers. Most are individuals who are retired. It is difficult to find younger poll workers due to working or having to take a day off work, possibly with no pay, or have to take a vacation day," she said."All the election directors are in the same boat," May-Silfee said. "Getting poll workers is always an issue."In 2008, she had high school students doing some of the work. "They worked out great," she said.State law allows high school age students to work at polls. May-Silfee met with the principal first, and the students were trained and supervised."Berks County does that. It's a great learning experience," she said.May-Silfee said she's considering increasing the remuneration, but not until next year. Monroe County also pays poll workers for travel and cellphone use.She also said the county's "Election Reform Committee is considering having the bureau appoint poll workers instead of having them elected."Carbon County election director Lisa Dart said, "We have a lot of 'seasoned' workers.""We haven't had that many people leave. We pay almost $200 for judge of elections and $140 to everyone else," she said.They are conscientious workers, and have a strong work ethic, she said. When they do leave, it's usually because they are needed to take care of another person.When a new poll worker is needed, Dart said, "We ask around in-house for suggestions."The State Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislation did not respond to multiple phone calls and email messages seeking comment for this story.