Wright said students could still work in ancillary polling place jobs but could not be inspectors, judges or clerks, which are the three paid positions.

Wright would not say who raised the issues so late in the legislative process, but Rep. David Perryman, D-Chickasha, traced it to “a Republican National Committeeman” — actually former National Committeeman Steve Fair — who has come out in recent days against the measure.

In a piece published by several state newspapers, Fair complained that the political parties were not consulted about the changes, which include allowing the county election board secretary to ignore party leaders’ recommendations for poll workers.

“The poll workers are the eyes and ears of the party,” Fair wrote.

By law, at least one registered voter from each of the two largest parties in the state must be among the three primary poll workers at each precinct.

While Perryman attributed the about-face for SB 444 to Fair, the former committeeman’s piece did not mention Thursday’s most contentious issue — allowing public employees to work the polls.