SB 71

This bill requires the Elections Commission to reimburse counties and

municipalities for certain costs incurred in the administration of special primaries

and special elections for state or national office. A cost is eligible for reimbursement

only if certain conditions are met, including that the commission determines the cost

is reasonable and the rate paid by the county or municipality for the cost does not

exceed the rate customarily paid for similar costs at a primary or election that is not

a special primary or election. Under the bill, only the following costs may be

reimbursed:

1. Rental payments for polling places.

2. Election day wages paid to election officials working at the polls.

3. Costs for the publication of required election notices.

4. Printing and postage costs for absentee ballots and envelopes.

5. Costs for the design and printing of ballots and poll books.

6. Purchase of ballot bags or containers, including ties or seals for chain of

custody purposes.

7. Costs to program electronic voting machines.

8. Purchase of memory devices for electronic voting machines.

9. Wages paid to conduct a county canvass.

10. Data entry costs for a statewide voter registration system.