Secretary of State seeks more tabulators and limited carryforward for expensive election years

Secretary of State Shanna Bellows asked the joint committees to add funding and language in the supplemental budget to address aging equipment and election-year spikes in costs. "The tabulators currently in use around the state are 14 years old and reaching the end of their useful life," Bellows told committees, adding: "They're still accurate. They're like modern day abacuses."

Bellows said the proposal includes an "other request" of roughly $792,000 in fiscal year 2026-27 to cover the cost differential for a new statewide lease of tabulators and accessible voting devices. She said the procurement is proceeding as an RFP and that the state will seek bidders. The state currently leases tabulators (ES&S has been the incumbent supplier), and the replacement equipment will be chosen by competitive bid.

The secretary also urged inclusion of a carrying provision that "authorizes the state controller to carry forward up to $750,000 in unexpended balances in the personal services and all other line categories in the Department of Secretary of State" to make available funds appropriated in lower-turnout years for use in higher-cost election years (for ballots, equipment, and election security). She said the provision is intended to reduce the annual cycle of retroactive supplemental requests and to allow planning for expensive general elections.

Lawmakers pressed Bellows on details the committee wanted at the work session, including how many tabulators the state currently holds, expected tabulators needed, lease-vs.-buy cost comparisons, and whether new tabulators will support ranked-choice ballots. Bellows said the RFP will specify ranked-choice compatibility and agreed to supply counts and pricing information at the scheduled work session.

The committee asked for additional procurement and cost details at the work session; no formal action was taken during the hearing.