Presidential electors shall be paid, for attending the meeting held in the City of Raleigh on the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December next after their election, the sum of forty-four dollars ($44.00) per day and traveling expenses at the rate of seventeen cents (17¢) per mile in going to and returning home from the required meeting. (1901, c. 89, s. 84; Rev., s. 2761; C.S., s. 3878; 1933, c. 5; 1967, c. 775, s. 1; 1979, c. 1008; 2017-6, s. 3; 2018-146, s. 3.1(a), (b).)