The Office of Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor, which is responsible for payment of poll workers and constables at each primary, general and special election, will use the March 25 Special Election for a Pennsylvania House of Representatives district to expand an initiative to pay these workers with debit cards rather than mailing paper checks. Workers in one election district during the 2024 General Election were paid using the cards.

“I am pleased that we are expanding this innovative effort to reduce taxpayer costs and provide an improved experience for our Election Day workers, and I thank the many members of my office and other County departments who have collaborated to allow us to reach this point,” O’Connor said. “The experiences of workers receiving debit cards has been positive thus far, and the feedback we receive following this Special Election will inform our next steps as we consider expanding this initiative to regularly scheduled elections.”

The program is being operated through the card servicing platform CourtFunds, which has partnered with government and judicial agencies around the country. The County will pay a flat fee of $2 per card. Using industry-standard estimates of the cost to produce, process and mail paper checks to 14,000 election workers per year, the Controller’s Office has projected potential savings of nearly $80,000 annually if the debit card program is fully implemented.

Workers can use the debit cards for point-of-sale payments, draw cash from participating banks, or transfer the funds to a bank account without fees. Limited fees may be charged on certain ATM transactions, and a monthly service fee is applied beginning 100 days after issuance. Lost cards will be replaced without a fee.

Cards will be issued to workers at their assigned polling location on the day of the Special Election, but funds will not be loaded until required documentation from election officials is received. Workers will be able to access their funds without waiting for the processing and mailing of paper checks and without mail-related errors or delays.

“Along with saving money, we believe this initiative can improve the service we provide to our dedicated polling place workers, who work long and demanding days for minimal reward. They deserve our most sincere thanks and the best experience we are able to provide,” O’Connor said.