Election Costs Give SLC Council Sticker Shock

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) The Salt Lake City Council is ready to bite the bullet and pay three times more for its municipal election than it has in previous years. The extra costs are mainly because the new electronic voting machines require more training for poll workers at higher wages. The machines are also in short-supply, which could mean fewer polling locations, which troubles City Councilman Dave Buhler:

"I worry about what that does for voter involvement and participation - particularly for some of our older voters who may have a harder time getting out if the location is further away," says Buhler.

Salt Lake City will contract with the Salt Lake County Clerk's office to run its municipal primary and general elections in conjunction with the statewide special election on vouchers. Given the higher cost of using electronic machines and the ability to consolidate precincts with the new technology, the County Clerk's proposal includes 21 fewer polling locations than the last municipal race in 2003. The total number and location of polling sites in the County Clerk's proposal closely mirrors the configuration of last year's statewide elections, when the electronic machines were first used.

However, before signing a contract with the County for the election, the City Council will review each of those polling locations proposed for elimination. The Salt Lake County Clerk's office estimates an additional cost of $2,000 for each polling location the City adds for the election.

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