Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Elections topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Elections office says recount topped six figures; directors outline voter-education plans
Summary
Elections director told the committee recount costs exceeded $100,000 and that poll-worker expenses are a major budget line; the office plans outreach to community organizations and churches to increase voter education and participation.
Elections Director (transcript names vary; first identified in the record as Cynthia Scraani) told the Finance Committee that a recent recount resulted in substantial costs ‘‘well over $100,000.’’ She said many recount expenses exceeded the sums available in the elections budget and that some costs were supported through other city accounts, including legal/outside-counsel lines.
The director described staff work during the recount, said the elections office handled extraordinary weekend staffing needs and that poll-worker costs are a significant recurring expense (the FY27 polls budget is approximately $200,000 with about $173,000 spent year-to-date). The director said she will provide the council a detailed expense report for the recount and any recommendations from outside counsel who supported the recount.
On outreach, the elections office plans direct engagement with community groups, clubs and houses of worship to provide voter education and to explain how to vote. Councilors requested additional data (registered voter counts, number of mail ballots sent and processed, and dog-license counts) and the director agreed to supply those figures after the meeting.
Councilors praised the elections staff for customer service and urged timely follow-up on after-action recommendations from outside counsel; the director said she is awaiting a formal written debrief from outside counsel and will pursue it actively.
