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McLeod County certifies special election for District 5; turnout 3.2% and estimated $45 cost per ballot (excluding staff time)
Summary
County auditors certified the April 14 special election for Commissioner District 5, reporting 154 total ballots cast (3.2% turnout). The county reported election expenses of $6,910 (excluding staff time and facility costs), yielding a reported $45 cost per voted ballot when those excluded items are omitted.
McLeod County officials on May 5 certified the results of the April 14 special election for Commissioner District 5 and provided a cost summary for the contest. County Auditor Connie told the board that 154 ballots were cast (119 election day ballots, 34 accepted absentee ballots, one accepted direct ballot) out of 4,820 registered voters at 7 a.m., for a voter turnout of 3.2%.
Connie explained the certified canvass took place April 15 and that the winners were declared and abstracts signed. She also outlined expenses attributable to running the special election that were recorded in county accounts but do not include staff time or facility rental: a full page publication ad ($687), ballots and programming ($4,490), an assisted voting device ($758), and envelopes ($975), totaling $6,910. Using that figure alone, the county reported a cost of about $45 per voted ballot; Connie emphasized that the figure excludes staff time and facility rent.
Connie told the board low turnout increases per‑ballot costs, and she urged residents to vote on election day where possible. The board acknowledged the administrative burden of special elections and thanked election staff for their work.
Next steps: None required — the election was certified and the board accepted the audit and cost summary.
