Statement in response to the introduction of Early Voting Legislation
that will be taken up by the State Senate and Assembly on Monday, January 14,
2019
Stephen J. Acquario, Executive Director of the New York State
Association of Counties (NYSAC)
"Election costs are the mandated responsibility of
county governments through local boards of elections. The operational budgets
for these local boards have been enacted at the close of 2018. Additional costs
associated with staffing and securing early voting locations, printing and
counting additional ballots, ensuring elections are safe from cyber security
threats, and meeting other legal election requirements have not been fully
calculated by the state and counties. Estimates for these new provisions suggest
that it will cost between $500,000 and $1 million per county, depending on its
size. Under a two percent property tax cap, counties cannot afford additional
new costs associated with early voting and other election reforms.
Counties, therefore, CANNOT support early voting proposals, UNLESS there is a full state funding commitment to support its implementation.
Counties, therefore, CANNOT support early voting proposals, UNLESS there is a full state funding commitment to support its implementation.
NYSAC requests that the State work with local boards of
elections to enumerate the full fiscal impact of early voting and ensure proper
funding is appropriated to cover the costs before any statutory provisions are
put in place."
