This Fiscal Note is not an official copy and should not be quoted or cited.
Fiscal Note - SB 0652 - Absentee Vote & Reduces the Number of Election Dates
L.R. NO. 1992-02
BILL NO. SCS for SB 652 and 548
SUBJECT: Boards: Elections
TYPE: Original
DATE: March 12, 1996
FISCAL SUMMARY
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON STATE FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED FY 1997 FY 1998 FY 1999
None
Total Estimated
Net Effect on All
State Funds $0 $0 $0
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON FEDERAL FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED FY 1997 FY 1998 FY 1999
None
Total Estimated
Net Effect on All
Federal Funds $0 $0 $0
ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON LOCAL FUNDS
FUND AFFECTED FY 1996 FY 1997 FY 1998
Local Government* $0 to (Unknown) $0 to (Unknown) $0 to (Unknown)
*Absentee ballot costs could amount to $400,000 per election year for state's
largest counties. Some local units of government could realize minimal
savings from election costs sharing.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
ASSUMPTION
Officials from the St. Louis County Board of Election Commission assume that
liberalization of the absentee ballot law would have significant fiscal
impact to St. Louis County and its political subdivisions.
Election officials assume that at least 50% of the county's voters would vote
an absentee ballot because of the change that would allow anyone who would be
out of their precinct in which they would be eligible to vote to vote an
absentee ballot, and this proposal would allow any person sixty-five years of
age or older to vote on absentee ballot. Officials estimate the increase in
election cost at $400,000 per major election.
Election officials assume that by eliminating the number of election dates,
local units of government could realize some savings due to election cost
sharing. Officials estimate savings to be minimal.
Officials from the Callaway County Clerk's Office assume that by combining
certain elections there would be election cost savings to certain local units
of government from election cost sharing. Officials did not estimate the
amount of savings.
Jackson County officials assume that the liberalization of absentee balloting
requirements could cost the county as much as $20,000 annually. Officials
assume that local units of government could realize election cost savings due
to election cost sharing, which is created by the combining of elections.
Officials did not estimate savings.
Officials from the Marion County Clerk's Office assume that by combining
elections political subdivisions could save from zero to $20,000 annually.
Officials assume that the liberalization of absentee voting requirements
would increase costs. Officials stated that absentee voting costs are 4
times greater than those for normal poll voting. Officials concluded that
costs would be minimal and did not submit an estimate.
Officials from the Monroe County Clerk's Office assume that by combining
elections would generate some election costs savings due to cost sharing.
Officials assume that savings would be minimal and did not submit an
estimate.
Officials from the Cole County Clerk's Office assume that by combining
elections would generate some election costs savings to local units of
government. Officials stated that savings would be minimal and are unknown.
Secretary of State officials assume no fiscal impact to their office.
Oversight assumes there could be election cost increases, however, the amount
of increase would be dependent on the number of registered voters in any one
county. Based on St. Louis County's response, Oversight estimates cost to
local governments could amount to $400,000 in given years, savings would be
minimal to none for most counties.
FISCAL IMPACT - State Government FY 1997 FY 1998 FY 1999
$0 $0 $0
FISCAL IMPACT - Local Government FY 1997 FY 1998 FY 1999
Cost to Local Governments (Unknown)* (Unknown)* (Unknown)*
*Absentee ballot costs could amount to $400,000 per election year in large
counties. Some local units of government could realize minimal savings from
election costs sharing.
DESCRIPTION
This act opens up absentee balloting and removes the June and October
election dates.
Currently, a person may vote by absentee ballot due to:
1. Expected absence from the election authority's jurisdiction during
election day;
2. Illness or disability;
3. Religion;
4. Employment at polling place; and
5. Incarceration
Under this act, the first provision of expected absence during election day,
listed above, is modified to allow absentee voting by any voter who expects
to be away from the precinct where he or she votes during normal election
hours. In addition, any voter age 65 years or older may vote by absentee
ballot, in addition to the current provisions as listed above in 2 through 5.
The June and October election dates are removed. As a result, elections
would be held in:
February or March, but not both;
April;
August; and
November.
Currently, no city or county shall adopt a charter or charter amendment that
calls for elections on any other dates than currently provided by law, but
ones adopted before 1978 are grandfathered-in.
This act also grandfathers in all charters and charter amendments so that
they may continue calling elections on dates as their charters now provide,
however, no new charter or charter amendment shall be adopted calling for
elections on dates other than those provided by this act.
This legislation is not federally mandated, would not duplicate any other
program and would not require additional capital improvements or rental
space.
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
St. Louis County Board of Election Commission
Secretary of State
Jackson County
Marion County
Callaway County
Monroe County
Cole County
NOT RESPONDING: St. Louis Board of Election Commissioners, City of St.
Louis, St. Charles County Executive, Boone County, Platte County, Jefferson
County, Greene County, Pettis County, Taney County, Worth County, Stone
County