Honorable Leo Berman, Chair, House Committee on Elections
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB265 by Anchia (Relating to the registration of voters at a polling place and related procedures.), As Introduced
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB265, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($2,917,460) through the biennium ending August 31, 2009.
Fiscal Year
Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2008
($2,917,460)
2009
$0
2010
($2,917,460)
2011
$0
2012
($2,917,460)
Fiscal Year
Probable Savings/(Cost) from GENERAL REVENUE FUND 1
2008
($2,917,460)
2009
$0
2010
($2,917,460)
2011
$0
2012
($2,917,460)
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would require that two voter registrars be present at each polling place and would authorize election date voter registration for persons not registered to vote.
Methodology
During the 2006 primary elections, there were 9,526 polling places. Assuming that 2 additional clerks would be hired at each polling place for 14 hours at $7 per hour, the cost would be $1,867,096. The 2006 primary run-off elections had 5,359 polling places and assuming 2 additional clerks at each location for 14 hours at $7 per hour, the cost would be $1,050,364. The total estimated cost to implement the provisions of the bill would be $2,917,460 every other year.
Technology
No fiscal impact to technology is anticipated due to the implementation of the provisions of the bill.
Local Government Impact
Costs to elections administration offices would be for salaries for the required voter registrars. LubbockCounty reported requiring 134 new staff at a cost of $42,000 per year. DallasCounty reported requiring staff costing $610,000 per year in presidential election years (2008 and 2012) and $507,000 in other years. HarrisCounty would need 1,500 additional personnel at a cost of $180,000 in even-numbered years and $540,000 in odd-numbered years. RandallCounty would need 64 additional personnel and $11,136 for each election in the first year, with additional costs due to population growth and cost of living increases.