Honorable Mary Denny, Chair, House Committee on Elections
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB2102 by Homer (Relating to the filling of vacancies in certain county offices by a special election.), As Introduced
No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would establish procedures for filling a county office vacancy in a county with a population of less that 50,000. The bill would take effect September 1, 2005.
Local Government Impact
If an applicable county chooses to call a special election, as authorized by the provisions of the bill, the county would incur election costs. Based on costs reported to the Secretary of State (SOS) in the summer of 2004 by a sampling of counties, municipalities, and special districts, the average cost incurred by a local government entity for an election is $1.29 per registered voter. The election cost per local government would vary depending on the number of voters registered in each. If a special election were to be held on the general election date, the local government would experience an increase in costs that would not likely be significant (because the state pays the majority of the costs). If a special election were to be held on a uniform election date other than the general election date, the local government would incur the full costs associated with conducting the special election (pay to workers, fee for use of polling locations, publishing notice in newspapers, printing of ballots).