With threats to election officials on the rise since 2020, local governments have been spending millions of dollars to increase protections for voters, poll workers, ballots and equipment.
About 92% of local election officials say they’ve taken steps since the last presidential cycle to increase security for voters, election workers or election infrastructure, according to a survey earlier this year by the Brennan Center for Justice. Those measures range from cybersecurity protections to physical enhancements for election office or polling sites. Everything from the cost of paper for ballot printing to technology upgrades to physical facility enhancements is hitting budgets.
“The cost for securing elections is only increasing day by day because of new threats,” said Isaac Cramer, a South Carolina elections official and one of the legislative chairs for the National Association of Election Officials.
Administering elections — from the ballot printing to the poll station security — is the responsibility of local authorities, and the decentralized nature makes it difficult to tally a total cost for the 2024 contest, but officials including those in swing states like Georgia and Wisconsin, agree that costs are climbing.
Although billions have been provided by Congress for election security in recent years, local governments say it isn’t enough and officials have spent heavily to upgrade various election aspects, like new facilities and worker training. While federal grants exist, the demand far outpaces the need and in some states — like South Carolina and Wisconsin — federal dollars aren’t distributed below the state level, so costs are borne by county and municipalities’ general funds.
Cramer, who is in charge of administering elections in Charleston County, South Carolina, said the county has spent more than $500,000 since 2020 in security, plus a new building that will ultimately cost upwards of $7 million.
“Counties cover the costs of administering federal elections,” he told a senate committee while testifying earlier this year. “The federal government should pay its fair share.”
Related Articles
National Politics |
Tensions flare in the Bay Area and supporters get jumpy as presidential election nears
National Politics |
Puerto Rico prepares for Election Day as a third-party candidate makes history
National Politics |
NC Republicans choosing early voting in 2024 say there’s ‘too much of a chance’ to wait
National Politics |
Harris makes unscheduled visit to New York City in the campaign’s final days
National Politics |
What to watch over the final weekend of the 2024 presidential campaign
Since 2020, the election budget for Durham County, North Carolina, has surged by $1 million to $3.3 million, according to Derek Bowens, the county’s …read more
Source:: The Mercury News – Entertainment
