Local News
Elections Commission Reports Moving Election Could be Costly
The state Elections Commission reports that GOP plans to
move
2020 presidential primary from April to March would cost at least $7 million.
This move comes as part of a sweeping package of legislation in this lame-duck
session. Moving the primary would create three elections in three months – with
the state primary in February, the presidential primary in March, and the state
general election in April.
A commission memo estimates a third election would
run between $6.4 and $6.8 million – not including all local, training, and
software update costs.
It also warns of logistical hurdles, including
administrating absentee ballots for two elections at the same time and a short
deadline for post-election tasks while preparing for the next election.