County election costs expected to rise; staff flags ballots, judges and early‑voting hours
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Summary
Elections staff told commissioners that having three elections this year and expanded early‑voting hours will raise costs for judges, clerks and ballot supplies; an initial estimate put supplies and ballots for the cycle near $29,000.
Nicole, the county elections administrator, told commissioners on July 14 that election‑related costs will be higher this fiscal year because the county expects three elections and expanded early‑voting hours, which raise labor and ballot‑supply needs.
Labor and supplies: Nicole outlined a spreadsheet estimating hours for election judges and clerks to cover longer early‑voting periods and additional polling hours. She and budget staff noted that ballots and supplies are a significant expense; Nicole estimated a ballot order of 8,000 (per batch) and ran preliminary math that increased supplies and ballot estimates for the year to roughly $29,000 to cover three elections and voter‑registration mailings.
Equipment and timing: Sandra said the county will pause purchasing voting machines this year because new machines were announced by the state, and noted election machine capital leases are paid off in the current year. Nicole said some costs are recoverable when the county conducts elections for outside entities but that many election expenses are borne by the county.
Why it matters: Election operating costs vary by the number of elections and state rules for staffing and early voting. These increases flow into next fiscal year’s operations if not offset by outside reimbursements.
Next steps: Staff will adjust the election supplies and ballot line to reflect the higher estimate and bring updated election costs to the August budget meeting.