Elections Department seeks funding to address $2.5M June primary election deficit

The Monterey County Board of Supervisors is considering an important funding request from the Elections Department to address significant budget challenges ahead of the upcoming June primary election. The department's revenue cycle has shifted since 2017, leading to alternating years of budget deficits and surpluses, with the 2025-2026 fiscal year projected as a deficit year.

The Elections Department generates revenue by charging local jurisdictions, including cities and schools, for their share of election costs. However, the consolidation of elections into even years has resulted in a drastic reduction in revenue, which now averages only $175,000 against election costs that can reach $2.5 million. This funding gap threatens the department's ability to meet its legal obligations, including the production and distribution of essential election materials.

During the budget hearing, the department outlined its augmentation requests, prioritizing them into tiers based on necessity. Tier 1 requests focus on essential costs required to conduct elections, which the county is legally obligated to cover. The department anticipates minimal reimbursement for these expenses. Tier 2 requests include increased costs for certified translation services and training for new election program managers, while Tier 3 requests involve optional outreach and advertising efforts. Tier 4 requests pertain to funding for election technology, which has already been approved for the next fiscal year.

The Elections Department emphasized the urgency of securing funding for Tier 1 requests to ensure compliance with legal requirements and maintain the integrity of the electoral process. The Board of Supervisors is expected to deliberate on these requests, with the outcome likely to have significant implications for the upcoming elections and the department's operational capabilities.