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Elections official warns of a sharp rise in statewide system costs and a multi‑million dollar equipment replacement need
Summary
Andrew Howell said the county faces an estimated $90,000 increase for the state's ELVIS voter system (about 400%) and may need more than $3 million to replace tabulators, poll books and ADA devices under evolving certification standards; he said the county is roughly 5% of the state cost share.
Andrew Howell of the Shawnee County elections office told commissioners that 2027 is a smaller odd‑year election cycle but that the department faces two major cost drivers. First, the state‑provided ELVIS voter registration system is projected to increase in cost by about 400%, which Howell said would be roughly $90,000 to Shawnee County. "Our Elvis cost is projected to go up 400% in the next year, and so that's about 90,000," he said.
Second, Howell said the county will likely need to budget for replacement of voting equipment — poll books, high‑speed tabulators, electronic poll books and ADA ballot‑marking devices — because of vendor end‑of‑life timelines and the adoption of VVSG 2.0 certification guidelines. He gave a current, high‑level estimate of just over $3 million for equipment replacement and said uncertainty at the federal level (including recent changes at the EAC) may affect timing and certification.
Howell said the county's share of statewide costs is about 5% and noted the state has tightened restrictions on accepting nongovernmental funds, limiting some funding options. Commissioners asked about potential grants and whether the new secretary of state might change the state's approach; Howell said federal or state funding could emerge but that the county should plan for its share.
Howell said the elections office will request funding for equipment replacement at the end of 2026 and recommended the commission consider using special project funds if state costs exceed the county's budgeted amounts.
Next steps: the commission may consider transferring special project funds or otherwise accommodating the anticipated state and equipment cost increases during budget review.
