This document summarizes the results of a statewide survey of county election board secretaries in Oklahoma that was conducted in September 2015. It discusses the responsibilities of county election board secretaries, statistics about their positions such as years of service and number of registered voters, and compensation levels across counties. The document aims to demonstrate that county election board secretaries perform important work for their counties and deserve to be adequately compensated given the critical role they play in election administration and the challenges of their jobs.

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Oklahoma ~ County Election Board Secretaries
Responsibilities – Statistics - Compensations
Prepared by Julie Dermody
Secretary, Rogers County Election Board

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Introduction
This report summarizes the results of a state wide survey conducted in September 2015 of the 77
County Election Boards. This report will attempt to show how the County Election Boards serve
their county far more than they serve the state when it comes to elections. Secondly, an analysis
of the data taken during the survey will provide an insight to the challenges, success, as well as a
close look at the compensation they receive, or don’t receive compared to other counties across
the state.
The purpose of this report is to provide a balanced survey that addresses important issues in
regards to how today’s Secretary of a County Election Board is compensated for a position that
is critical to the election process, and show the Counties they serve how crucial it is that they
support the role of County Election Board Secretary. Election Board Secretaries need to be
knowledgeable, active, honest, friendly and helpful individual. This report intends to show how
counties can be pro-active in keeping a good Secretary. The goal is to provide the reader an
understanding of the dynamic responsibilities and fundamental tasks the Secretary must
accomplish to meet guidelines for an impartial, unbiased operation that meets with Federal and
State statutes and laws.
It is the intent of this writer that those who examine this report will understand the moral and
ethical need to provide the secretaries of the Oklahoma Election Boards with an income relevant
to the importance of the Secretary position.

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Concerns and Issues
At this time the election system is losing valuable, knowledgeable, experienced secretaries
because they are reluctantly moving to higher paying jobs.
The Oklahoma election system works wonderfully because of the knowledge of your county
election board secretaries and their integrity.
A Secretary's pay should not be based on how many voters they are able to obtain and keep
active, all registered voters must be treated the same regardless of how much of the population is
registered to vote and if they remain active or inactive. No matter how many voters are
registered the same processes have to be followed every time an election occurs. Every Odd
numbered year there is a possibility of 11 elections. The total number of entities that can call
elections will determine how busy the Election Board will be.
16%
20%
22%
14%
10%
14%
4%
Years of Service
Brand New
1 to 3 years
4 to 6 years
7 to 10 years
11 to 15 years
15 years or more
no answer

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Number of Entities and Precincts for Each County
TotalEntities
#ofPrecincts
Harmon 8 7
Cimarron 6 6
Harper 9 6
Roger Mills 14 9
Ellis 12 7
Greer 14 8
Alfalfa 19 7
Grant 15 7
Dewey 16 10
Beaver 10 7
Jefferson 18 10
Cotton 14 9
Coal 16 9
Tillman 17 9
Major 17 8
Woods 10 6
Kiowa 19 14
Okfuskee 14 13
Blain 18 9
Love 9 12
Nowata 9 11
Johnston 17 14
Latimer 15 12
Pushmataha 16 16
Hughes 20 16
Noble 18 12
Haskell 13 11
Washita 24 12
Atoka 15 17
Marshall 6 11
Murray 13 10
Craig 14 12
Choctaw 14 17
Texas 17 11
Kingfisher 23 14
Pawnee 16 10
Adair 15 17
Woodward 17 15
Beckham 14 13
Seminole 20 14
Jackson 15 15
McIntosh 17 14
Caddo 33 20
Ottawa 17 17
Garvin 24 17
McCurtain 20 30
Custer 18 13
Lincoln 34 21
Okmulgee 31 29
Sequoyah 23 26
Pontotoc 16 21
Delaware 23 22
Mayes 21 27
Bryan 17 22
Cherokee 22 24
McClain 30 26
Kay 17 28
Pittsburg 25 41
Stephens 27 28
Logan 28 22
Osage 42 28
LeFlore 39 37
Carter 22 25
Garfield 30 30
Grady 41 28
Washington 16 23
Muskogee 27 33
Pottawatomie 39 26
Payne 23 31
Creek 36 35
Wagoner 28 32
Comanche 31 39
Rogers 34 36
Canadian 30 48
Cleveland 25 83
Tulsa 32 262
Oklahoma 48 257

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Out of 77 counties, currently there are 38 counties who receive additional funding from their
counties. This number has raised from the 2013 report where only 21 counties received
additional compensation. The response from many of the counties who do not receive additional
compensation is that their County Officers are under the false belief that the Secretary is an
officer of the State not the County. The Oklahoma Attorney General has addressed this issue and
stated in their opinion released 03/31/1977;
Question Submitted by: The Honorable Melvin E. Porter, Oklahoma State Senate
1977 OK AG 104
Decided: 03/31/1977
Oklahoma Attorney General Opinions
Cite as: 1977 OK AG 104, __ __
ELECTIONS
¶0 A secretary of a county electionboard is a countyrather thana state officer.
¶1 The Attorney Generalhas considered your request for an opinion w herein you askthe follow ing question:
"Is a County Election Board Secretaryconsideredto be a county officer or a state officer?"
¶2 The secretaries of countyelection boards in the various counties are appointed under the authority of 26 O.S. 2-112 (1976), by
the State Election Board and may be removed at any time. Under 26 O.S. 2-118 (1976), secretaries of countyelection boards are
paid an annual salary based on the number of registered voters within the county. One-half of the secretary's salaryis paid from
state funds and one-half fromcounty funds. A secretarymay also be paid an additional monthly salary fromstate funds based on a
schedule contained in 26 O.S. 2-118 (1976). It should be noted that it is the mandatory duty of the county excise board to
appropriate adequate funds for the operating expenses of the county election board in the discharge of its duties and
responsibilities. 26 O.S. 2-119 (1976). It is apparent that the secretaries of county election boards are on analogous footing w ith
certain assistant district attorneys who are compensated by a combination of state and county funds. Under 19 O.S. 215.14 (1971),
each county of the state is required to pay one-half of the salary of one resident assistant district attorney and the total salary of any
other resident assistant district attorneys. The same section classifies assistantdistrict attorneysas state officersforpayroll
purposes. How ever, in the case of State of Oklahoma, ex rel. Blankenship v. Atoka County, Okl., 456 P.2d 537 (1969), the
Oklahoma Supreme Court view ed the assistant district attorneyas a state officer for payrollpurposesonly and a county offic er forall
other purposes. The Court concluded that the county's payment of a portion of the salary of an assistant district attorney, a person
appointed by a state officer, i.e., the district attorney, and compensated partially by state money, w as not in violation of Article X ,
Section 9 of the Oklahoma Constitution, w hich prohibits the levy or use of ad valorem tax revenues for state purposes.
¶3 Even though the secretary of the county election board is appointed by the State Election Board and partially compensated by
the state, the functions performed are essentially county functions. It should be noted, in this regard, that a
county election boardsecretary has no authority or responsibility outside the boundaries of the county, and that to be eligible for
membership on a county election board a person must be a registered voter of the county in w hich he servesas secretary. See, 26
O.S. 2-131 (1976). It must be concluded in light of the functions performed by the secretaryof the county election board that he or
she is a county officer.
¶4 It is, therefore, the opinion of the Attorney General that your questionbe answeredin the followingmanner:A secretary
of a county electionboard is a county rather thana state officer.
LARRY DERRYBERRY
ATTORNEY GENERAL OF OKLAHOMA
MICHAEL CAUTHRON
ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL

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County Election Board Secretary a History
In the beginning of Statehood the position of the Secretary of the County Election Board was
considered a political plum, a reward for being a good pal or associate. These appointments were
given to individuals who had full time jobs, or retired and were willing to serve as the figure
head, receiving a minimal of compensation.
Times have changed
The responsibilities of an Election Board Secretary have drastically changed especially over the
last 20 years. Computer technology advances require a much different approach to how the
Election Board functions. Educational instruction is now mandatory for more than just the
Secretaries, it is now essential that all those working at the Election Board including precinct
workers understand the basic operation of many technological devices.
Help America Vote Act
Elections occur frequently and since the implementation in January of 2003, of the Help
America Vote Act (HAVA) and other federal requirements for election laws, the procedures are
more complex and time consuming. HAVA mandated certain minimum nationwide standards in
the conduct of voter registration and elections. HAVA enhances voting standards and education,
provides greater accessibility for people with disabilities, and addresses requirements for voter
registration file maintenance. The Act authorizes new funds to improve election administration at
both the state and local levels. HAVA also increases the involvement, for most states, of state
officials in the conduct of elections at the local level.

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Presidential Commission on Election Administration
In the January 2014 American Voting Experience: Report and Recommendations of the
Presidential Commission on Election Administration, (www.supportthevoter.gov) there are
several references concerning the administration of an election. Here are a few that apply to this
report:
1. The country’s election officials find themselves second-guessed and heavily criticized
when elections run into problems, and praise is not forthcoming in comparable volume —
or at all — when the process runs smoothly. Pg 8
2. Over the months of the preparation of this Report, the Commission arrived at a renewed
appreciation of how hard, diligently and effectively the vast majority of the country’s
election officials work to provide well-run elections for voters — and how difficult the
job is Pg 8
3. They must register voters and verify voter eligibility. They must design ballots, find
people to staff polling places, deliver and pick up machinery to cast and count votes.
They must arrange for the results of the votes cast on or before Election Day to be
transmitted to a central election office and verified for accuracy. Pg10
4. Jurisdictions also must comply with an array of federal requirements concerning
accessibility and anti-discrimination. Likewise, budget authorities tend to view elections
as a periodic need, not a persistent — much less urgent — one. Pg 12
5. This is despite the fact that some election functions, such as voter registration, demand
continual attention, and preparation for the next election must begin as soon as the
current election is over.
6. It is evident to the Commission that the core competencies required of today’s election
administrator are different from those in the past. The last decade’s heightened demand
for more professional administration of elections and modernization of the process
demonstrates that there is an increasing need for technology acumen, public relations
skills, and data savvy. Pg 19

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Responsibilities of a County Election Board Secretary in Oklahoma
No matter the number of employees or registered voters of the Election Board office the
following duties and responsibilities must be carried out. The larger number of registered voters
the bigger the burden, and thus the more hands it takes to operate the office suitably.
The following provides a detailed list of responsibilities for which the Election Board Secretary
is responsible.
Directs the Board
The Secretary is the day to day operational manager. The Board meets for elections, and
special meetings like recounts and contests. It is the Secretary that makes sure the board
is informed so they will know what tasks must be completed in every meeting.
Administration of the Office
Outside the regular board employees, the Election Board employs precinct officials, (a
minimum of 3 per precinct), Absentee Voting Board Members and part-time election
night workers.
Appointing and Training precinct election officials and absentee voting boards
Coordination of Precinct Officials to staff every precinct within the county
Conducting mandatory Precinct Official Training workshops for all precinct officials
every two years
Compile yearly notice of Annual Schedule of regularly scheduled meetings
Compile Notice of Special Meetings
Agenda and Minutes of all meetings
Responsible for the Containment of Board of Directors Agenda and Minutes
Webmaster: administrate the website for the Election Board
Answer phones, questions, greet guests, supply research service when requested
Compile and keep full, accurate description including location of all property for the
inventory control
Provide twice yearly inventory report of the Election Board office to the County Clerk
Voter Registration
Supervising voter registration and maintaining registration records
Imputing new registrations
File registration card
Pull old card and file
Purging registrations
Research improper addresses
Mailing letter and new registration to voters with incorrect registrations
Logging in all returned address confirmation cards
Logging in all returned undeliverable Voter ID cards
Printing and filing month end reports

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Send out email ballots to overseas and military voters
Monthly pull cards of Felony convictions, deceased voters, and mentally incapacitated
voters, and voters transferring to another county or state.
Polling Places
Locating, surveying and designating polling places
Precinct boundaries must adhere to all Congressional, State Senate, State House, Judicial
and County Commission district lines. This becomes a major project every 10 years after
the Federal census is taken.
Communicates with Nursing Homes
Elections (The preparation time for an election frequently requires several weeks)
Elections possible:
Statewide …. Regular, Primary, Runoff and General and Specials
Presidential …. Primary, Runoff and General
School …. Annual, Specials
Municipal …. Regular, Specials
Fire District …. Regular, Specials
County…. Regular, Primary, Runoff , General and Specials
Resolutions and Declarations
Receiving Declarations of Candidacy and Resolutions for county, municipal, school
district, fire district elections
Election Preparation
Receipt and review of all ballots
Preparation of test decks for each election
Delivery and pickup of all voting devices and election signs
Polling Place Confirmation Letters
Inspector Check-Out Letters to pick up supplies
Device Delivery confirmation letters
Ballot distribution schedule and ballot accounting forms
Ballot code sheet- special instructions
Precinct Check List for Books
Sheriff Ballot Security sheet Election night
Inspector check-in sheet- Election night
Set-up In-person supplies
Labels for transfer cases for ballots
Box ballots
Print Precinct Registries
Voting Device Reports
Press Releases for elections-Press Release Kit
Press Releases to all Media outlets
Notification of Election Signs Posted in Community

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Organization of Supply Bags and Ballots
Tool Boxes Equipped
Precinct (grey) books Equipped
Red book Prepared with proper paperwork, device keys, name tags, etc
Provisional voting bags Prepared with proper paperwork
Check Out Inspectors Check Out supplies/Ballots/Keys to Inspectors
Coordinate with Nursing Homes for early voting
Hearing and deciding contests of candidacy and conducting election recounts
Setting a hearing date
Organization of documents
Training workers on procedures
Voting Devices
Programming
Each election must be entered into the database with all the specific parameters for each
election on the computer.
Maintenance and Upkeep
Each device is cleaned, serviced and tested before use in every election.
Testing
Testing of test decks and all election devices for each election
The voting devices currently in use are the Hart InterCivic e-Scan AT. This device was newly
purchased by the State of Oklahoma in late 2011 for use in the 2012 elections and all elections
thereafter.
Early Voting
Secure absentee boards for in-person voting
Arrange Election Board office for huge crowds
Send Out Nursing Home Boards
Absentee Voting
Mailing out Absentee ballots
Checking in absentee ballots
Voter history credit
Process and count returned mail absentee ballots
Election Day
Respond to requests for assistance from the precincts
Tallying election returns and certifying official election results
Feed the Mobile Ballot Box (mbb’s) zip files into the state computer
Run Reports
Conduct Board Meeting for tallying and canvassing returns

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After the Election
Prepare for Recount
Prepare for irregularity hearings
Tool Boxes Cleaned
Precinct books gone thru notes and paperwork properly filed
Provisional voting bags cleaned out paperwork
Voter History credit
Respond to Notes to the Secretary
Respond to Voter complaints/concerns/issues
Accounting
Preparation and approval of all Purchase Orders
Processing for payment all invoices
Maintaining all financial records (except Inventory)
Input of all expenses into MESA for Miscellaneous as well as all Election expenses
Monthly balancing of MESA with the County Clerk General Ledger Records
Monthly reconcilement of MESA Cash Balance with the County Treasurer or Affected
County records
Receipt, review and approval of all resolutions from Parent or Affected County Entities
calling for an election
Preparation and issuance of all initial billings (Pre-election Expenses) to all Parent
entities calling for an Election
Accumulation and input of various election related expenses (Post Election Expenses)
Issuance of final Record of Expense billings for each election (Balance Due)
Receipt and processing of all payments received from Election Entities
Balancing and Close out of all Elections
Preparation of periodic projections of actual costs for the remaining fiscal year
Preparation and submission of requests for election cost reimbursements to County
Commissioners
Preparation of the annual budget
Ethics Reports
Keeper of County Ethics Reports for Elected officials, and Candidates.
Voter Outreach
Attend community functions
Senior luncheons
Chamber meetings
Political meetings (when asked to speak)
Speak at Schools
Attend Special Events
Registration Drives
Provide educational tours to schools
County Election Board Secretaries are never off the clock.

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State Salary Ranges of County Election Board Secretaraies
The Secretary of each county election board is currently paid an annual salary that is determined
by the following schedule as set forth by the Oklahoma State Election Board Secretary.
Secretaries can only receive a salary adjustment in May of odd-number years on the total
registration numbers as of January 1 that year.
As of May 1, 2007
Active Registered Voters Salary
0 to 10,000 $22,667.69
10,001 to 15,000 $23,507.68
15,001 to 17,500 $27,565.07
17,501 to 25,000 $30,901.43
25,001 to 50,000 $37,639.29
50,001 to 75,000 $47,433.39
75,001 to 150,000 $53,141.82
150,001 or more $58,845.15
The salary and fringe benefits paid to each secretary is paid from county funds on a monthly
basis and is reimbursed from funds appropriated by the Legislature for that purpose at a rate that
does not to exceed one hundred thirty-five percent (135%) of the above-specified salaries for
fringe benefits. As an example a county that has a secretary with a base salary of $37,639.29 will
receive $50,813.04 reimbursement from the state. The average fringe benefits cost the county
approx. $12,640.68.
Salary ranges generally recognize the level of education, knowledge, skill, experience and
responsibilities needed to perform each job. The salary range should reflect employer needs such
as the overlap in salary ranges that will allow career development and pay increases without
promotion at each level.

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The salary range for executive-level positions is normally the largest; the salary range for lower-
level positions is normally the narrowest, but not when it comes to the Election Board Secretary.
The Election Board Secretary is often the lowest paid director of the county, and often times
their salary is lower than 2nd and 3rd deputies.
Employee’s Getting More
This graph represents those Counties where the Secretary is being paid less than their employees.
Office Hours
Although many small county election boards are only required to be opened six hours a day,
many people do not realize that by statute, secretaries and staff often work 200 to 500 additional
hours a year, more for those counties who are only open 6 hours a day. Extra hours are required
during filing periods, early voting days, election days, contest periods, voter verification process
for petitions, processing absentee ballots, additional data entry because of voter registration
pushes during presidential election years, recounts and technical issues. Secretaries often put in
additional hours for Voter Outreach programs.
47%
14%
39%
Counties where the Secretary gets less pay
than the Employees
Less Pay
No Answer
Same or More

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Additional Compensation from Counties
Title 26 Section 2-118.C “The provisions of this section shall not preclude a county from providing
additional compensation, payable from county funds, to the secretary of the county election board;
provided, any such additional compensation shall not be considered part of the secretary's salary, and
shall not be reimbursed by the State Election Board.”
Accordingly additional compensation may be payable from county funds to the secretary of the
county election board, provided any such additional compensation shall not be considered part of
the reimbursement from the state.
The following graph displays how many counties provide additional compensation.
47%
39%
14%
Counties Receiving Additional Compensation
Yes
No
No Answer

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How Much Compensation
The following graph represents to what extent each county is supplementing the Secretary.
2% 10%
2%
12%
2%
10%
7%
48%
7%
42 Counties have base Salary
$22,667.69
$4,100
$350-500
Same as county Officer
Sames as 1st Deputy
80% of Elected Officer
$100+ over 1st Deputy
$500-1000 year
No Additional $
No answer
12%
25%
12%13%
13%
25%
8 Counties have a base salary of $23,507.68
$900 month
Same as 1st Deputy
$150 month
3% over 1st Deputy
NO additional
no answer

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40%
20%
40%
6 Counties have a base salary of $27,565
No Additional
$114 month
Same as 1st Deputy
30%
10%
10%10%
30%
10%
10 Counties have a Base Salary of $30,901.43
Same as 1st Deputy
Same as County Officers
80% of County Officers
No Answer
No Additional
half way to 1st Deputy

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57%
15%
14%
14%
7 Counties have a base Salary of $37,639.29
No Supplement
Same as 1st Deputy
$200 month
7% over
100%
1 county Has a Base Salary of $47,433.39
No Additional

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100%
1 County has a base Salary of $53,141.39
No Additional
50%50%
2 Counties have a base Salary of $58,845.15
Additional $30,000 a year
No Answer

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Percentages of RegisteredVoters
See following matrix for more in-depth information.
20%
32%
27%
8%
7%
5%
1%
Percentageof Population Registered to Vote in each County
50-59% 60-65% 66-69% 70-75% 76-80% 81-90% 91%+

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Percentage Registered of 18+ Population – Active Voters – Total Registration
These numbers are based on the January 2015 report that is used to determine Secretary Salary.
Percentages are calculated from the Census #s
Harmon 67% 1026 1407
Cimarron 91% 1289 1595
Harper 67% 1596 1923
Roger Mills 81% 1973 2276
Ellis 76% 2015 2430
Greer 55% 2190 2736
Alfafa 60% 2341 2808
Grant 81% 2369 2802
Dewey 75% 2381 2758
Beaver 75% 2519 3058
Jefferson 70% 2656 3382
Cotton 74% 2838 3496
Coal 86% 3096 3763
Tillman 70% 3171 4056
Major 69% 3477 4073
Woods 62% 3811 4661
Kiowa 65% 3942 4671
Okfuskee 60% 4279 5590
Blain 69% 4313 5158
Love 75% 4323 5517
Nowata 70% 4467 5692
Johnston 68% 4637 5785
Latimer 73% 4684 6070
Pushmataha 73% 4924 6393
Hughes 58% 4967 6314
Noble 70% 5015 6113
Haskell 68% 5059 6734
Washita 70% 5087 6040
Atoka 66% 5644 7064
Marshall 58% 5721 7234
Murray 67% 5736 7088
Craig 51% 5893 7384
Choctaw 72% 6369 8294
Texas 56% 6532 8841
Kingfisher 67% 6539 7742
Pawnee 70% 6666 8775
Adair 61% 7556 10272
Woodward 66% 8246 10672
Beckham 58% 8316 10396
Seminole 58% 8560 11054
Jackson 57% 8597 11053
McIntosh 55% 8672 11163
Caddo 58% 10161 12857
Ottawa 60% 11206 14564
Garvin 69% 11465 14417
McCurtain 60% 11681 14714
Custer 68% 11993 15173
Lincoln 67% 14579 17657
Okmulgee 64% 14797 19051
Sequoyah 63% 14933 19873
Pontotoc 51% 15651 19452
Delaware 64% 15901 20823
Mayes 65% 16293 20157
Bryan 65% 16718 22424
Cherokee 59% 16865 22062
McClain 76% 17386 21017
Kay 67% 18119 22911
Pittsburg 71% 19000 24833
Stephens 72% 19097 24328
Logan 72% 19238 24663
Osage 67% 19547 24641
LeFlore 69% 19625 26071
Carter 76% 21511 27998
Garfield 58% 21997 27187
Grady 72% 23028 29263
Washington 73% 23168 29054
Muskogee 67% 27031 35682
Pottawatomie 64% 27250 34790
Payne 56% 27345 36381
Creek 66% 28894 35600
Wagoner 67% 29815 38036
Comanche 52% 35878 49035
Rogers 82% 39856 53198
Canadian 68% 52552 65070
Cleveland 67% 107383 139792
Tulsa 68% 245410 318246
Oklahoma 66% 281155 375951

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The County Election Board Secretaries across this state have plenty of jobs to do and
responsibilities to carry out that are essential to the election systems functionality. Without
responsible, educated, ethical, and trained Secretaries operating a clean driven machine the
possibility of elections having issues that require, a do-over, recount, and irregularities, thereby
costing taxpayers more money, are more likely to happen.
In Summary
The County Election Board Secretaries of the State of Oklahoma need to be better compensated
for the positions of responsibility they have been tasked to carry out. County Election Boards
have many more elections for County entities than they do for the State. In the last 7 years the
state has lost nearly 60% of the Secretaries, partially due to the low salaries.
The results of this survey show that the administrative responsibilities and daily tasks of the
Election Board Secretary far exceed the compensation that they are currently designated to
receive.