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County officials warn of near $200,000 local cost if November congressional redistricting election proceeds
Summary
County elections staff told supervisors that three bills pending in the Legislature would require a November special election on congressional redistricting and estimated Inyo County's direct cost at about $200,000 unless the state covers expenses.
Danielle Sexton, Elections and Voter Services staff for Inyo County, told the Board on Aug. 19 that three measures — ACA 8, AB 604 and SB 280 — were moving through the Legislature to place a November 4 ballot measure before voters to redraw California’s congressional districts.
Sexton said the bills include a provision intended to ensure counties receive state funding to cover actual and reasonably necessary expenses for the election and that the State Controller would allocate funds "in accordance with the schedule by the director of finance." She said the county’s estimated direct cost is "close to $200,000," covering staff time, materials and election workers, but that the board and county associations are pressing the Legislature to ensure the state pays those costs.
Sexton said the maps have been released and that Inyo County would be grouped with other counties in a new congressional district under the proposed maps. She said maps and local voting location changes (including in Bishop) would be communicated to voters and that, if the bills pass by the legislative deadline, the Secretary of State could schedule an election in November.
Sexton said hearings were scheduled in both the Senate and Assembly and that county representatives would testify urging full state funding so local services are not displaced by election costs. She said the county’s associations — CSAC, RCRC and CACEO — had rallied to press the state for reimbursement.
No board action was taken at the meeting; Sexton said staff will return with more information on voting locations, timelines and costs as the bills proceed.
