Background:

Elections Costs.

The state must pay a prorated share of the cost of any primary or general election in odd-numbered years when state officers or measures are on the ballot. The state must also pay a prorated share of costs associated with elections held to fill a vacancy in the United States Senate or House of Representatives. In addition, the state is required to pay the costs of mandatory recounts for statewide measures.

Prepaid Postage.

Effective July 1, 2019, return envelopes for ballots must include prepaid postage, and the state must reimburse counties for the cost of placing prepaid postage on mail and absentee ballots in primary and general elections.

Interest on Reimbursements.

The Office of the Secretary of State (Secretary of State) must pay 2 percent annual interest on county reimbursement amounts paid after 30 days of the receipt of a properly executed and voucher from a county for the reimbursement of election costs.

Election Recounts.

An officer of a political party or a candidate may request a recount of the votes or a portion of the votes cast at the election for all candidates for election to that office. The cost of the recount is borne by the applicant.

A recount is mandatory in a primary or an election if the difference in the number of votes between the winning and losing candidates is less than 2,000 votes and also less than one-half of one percent of the total number of votes cast for both candidates. Smaller vote margins between candidates may require a manual recount.

Voters' Pamphlet.

At least 90 days before a primary or general election or at least 40 days before a special election, the legislative authority of any county or first-class or code city may adopt an ordinance authorizing the publication and distribution of a local voters' pamphlet. The pamphlet must include information on all measures within that jurisdiction and, if specified in the ordinance, may include information on candidates within that jurisdiction.

Summary of Bill:

Proportionate Election Costs in Even and Odd Years.

The state, counties, cities, towns, and districts are liable for their proportionate share of election costs when any primary, general or special election is held. State and federal offices are considered to be one entity for the purposes of determining proportionate election costs and reimbursements.

Counties are not responsible for any costs for an election in any city, town or district. Counties are also not responsible for the costs for any state or federal election. The auditor must apportion among the state, the county, and each city, town, or district, the expense of the primaries and elections, including materials and supplies.

The state's share of the proportionate expenses for federal officers, state officers, or measures voted upon at a state primary or general election are determined in accordance with the state budgeting, accounting, and reporting system. The determination of the state's proportion may be determined based upon: (1) a formulation that includes both the number of registered voters in a jurisdiction and the number of officers and issues in that jurisdiction or (2) a formulation based only upon the number of registered voters in a jurisdiction.

Prepaid Postage.

The cost of prepaid postage is apportioned among the state, the counties, and each city, town, or district.

Voter Outreach and Education.

Each county must receive a pro rata share of an amount that is at least 10 percent of the funding for election costs requested by the Secretary of State in the previous biennial budget. These moneys are separate from the election reimbursement costs from the state and must be used for voter outreach and education. As part of voter outreach and education, county auditors must engage in activities designed to:

educate individuals about the importance of voting as an act of civic engagement;
educate individuals about the voting process, from voter registration to election certification; and
reduce participation gaps in communities with a history of poor voter turnout.

Voter outreach and education may include printed materials, paid advertising, video, news coverage, social media, or in-person presentations.

Reimbursements.

Upon receipt of a properly submitted voucher from the county auditor, the Secretary of State must pay, within 30 days, from specifically appropriated funds until those funds are exhausted. If the appropriated funds are insufficient to cover the voucher, the Secretary of State must seek sufficient additional funds from the Legislature during the next legislative session. The state is not required to pay interest on reimbursement amounts.

Recounts.

The state must pay for mandatory recounts for any legislative or congressional office, as part of the reimbursement for election costs to counties. The Secretary of State must include a budget request to the Legislature during the next legislative session for funds for reimbursement of all costs for the mandatory recount and must reimburse those costs to counties in the same manner as other election cost reimbursements.

Local Voter's Pamphlet.

Before primary, general, or special elections, each county auditor must print and distribute a local voter's pamphlet. The pamphlet must provide information on all measures and candidates within that jurisdiction.

Appropriation.

For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, an amount that is no more than 10 percent of the state's share of election costs for fiscal year 2019 is appropriated to the Secretary of State from the State General Fund for distribution to counties for voter outreach and education.