Virginia registrars, local officials say consolidating elections would cut election-specific costs but raise implementation risks for small localities

Chairman Senator Van Valkenburg convened the Joint Subcommittee to Study the Consolidation and Scheduling of General Elections on March 12 to examine how shifting Virginia’s state and local election calendar to even‑numbered years would affect budgets and administration. Presenters from county and municipal associations, legislative budget staff, the Virginia Department of Elections and registrars told members consolidation would reduce some election‑specific costs but leave most recurring administrative spending unchanged.

The panel heard that consolidation would likely reduce variable costs such as polling‑place rentals, per‑election ballot printing and postage, and stipends for officers of election, while many fixed costs—registrar salaries, IT and facilities—would continue. “If elections were consolidated into even years, savings could be realized on election specific costs such as polling places, ballot printing, postage, and stipends for officers of election,” said Dean Lynch, executive director of the Virginia Association of Counties, who presented a county perspective on finances.

Why this matters: state officials and registrars said the largest fiscal effects would fall on local governments because Virginia law assigns primary responsibility for funding elections to counties and cities. The Department of Elections and registrars argued the General Assembly could preserve local election capacity during a transition by (a) providing one‑time or ongoing funding to cover compliance and staffing needs, and (b) considering statutory changes such as minimum local staffing or flexibility in early‑voting site rules.

Most important facts and estimates

- State and local spending reported in testimony: fiscal 2023 local election spending was cited at about $55.6 million with roughly $7.9 million reimbursed by the state; fiscal 2024 spending rose to about…