County clerk warns repeat‑year elections and vote‑by‑mail raise costs

Nancy, Lee County clerk, explained to the finance committee how election schedules, expanded early voting and permanent vote‑by‑mail increase election costs and affect the office’s budget. Office role: Nancy described the clerk’s duties — managing elections, vital records (birth, death, marriage), maintaining recorded documents and handling liquor and raffle permits. She said the recording side handles mortgages and deeds and that her office also administers jury processes. Election‑period cost drivers: Nancy told the committee the difference in her election budget year to year is largely driven by whether the county runs two statewide elections (primary and general) in the same fiscal year. “It costs approximately, like, $45,000 to run one election,” she said. She added that vote‑by‑mail processing and postage are significant line items and that the office currently spends roughly $18,000 per election on vote‑by‑mail handling. Reimbursements and grants: Nancy said the state reimburses a portion of some election costs, including a small reimbursement for election judges; she said the state pays roughly half of the per‑judge cost (about $7 of the $15 paid to judges). The clerk also uses a recurring state equipment/software grant for election-related licensing and software. Timing and workload: The clerk reminded the committee next year will include both a primary (March 17) and the general election (Nov. 3), which requires more part‑time workers, polling locations, postage and publication. She noted early voting has been extended in recent years and the office must staff in‑person early voting for longer periods. Operational adjustments: To offset election cost pressures she said she has reduced publication line items (printing legal notices) by changing how and how often notices run in print while keeping required information available online; she also maximizes available state grants to cover software and judge reimbursements. Ending: The committee acknowledged the cyclical nature of election costs and the clerk said she will continue to seek grant reimbursement and paper‑cost reductions while warning the board that election years with both a primary and a general election will double certain operating costs.