Tompkins County Board of Elections 2020 Budget Overview
The Tompkins County Board of Elections presented their 2020 budget, highlighting the recommended budget changes in expenditures and revenues. Major influences included the November Presidential Election, new laws impacting Primary hours, early voting requirements, and introduction of new election equipment. Additional staffing and resources were needed to manage increased voter turnout and absentee activity. The county aimed to ensure smooth operations during the elections, focusing on efficiency and compliance with new regulations.
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Tompkins County Board of Elections 2020 Budget Presentation
Recommended Budget 1 2019 Modified 2020 Recommended $ Change % Change Expenditures $898,737 $1,178,892 $280,155 31.17% Revenues -$136,932 -$170,304 -$33,372 24.37% Net Local $761,805 $1,008,588 $246,783 32.39%
Major Influences 2 November s General Presidential Election higher than average turnout, very high voter registration and absentee ballot activity. Two countywide Primary Elections April (Presidential Primary) and June (Federal/State/Local Primary); new law increasing Primary hours to 6 AM 9 PM beginning in June, resulting in higher inspector pay costs. Early Voting mandated to be open 9 days prior to all elections (General, Primary, and Special) Introduction of new equipment to administer elections Electronic Poll Books and their annual maintenance costs, new voting machines to replace current 10+ year old fleet.
3 November Presidential General Election * Extra Clerks are needed to manage the increase in activity (counter help, voter registration forms, absentee ballots) and additional tech hours to assist in programming machines and training inspectors. Tompkins County had the highest voter turnout rate (79%) in New York State in 2016 s General Election and could easily repeat in 2020. * Major expenses also include additional poll site workers to help manage the increased turnout and keep the lines moving as smoothly as possible. * Early Voting should be popular for this election as there is always increased absentee activity in even years, and we plan to staff additional people at both our early voting poll sites.
4 Primary Elections * The Presidential Primary has the same associated expenses as a General Election but poll sites can be consolidated. 2020 feels similar to 2016, where we hit the highest voter turnout in NY State with 57% in the Presidential Primary. * New legislation was passed this year to increase voting hours on Primary days (anticipated to begin June 2020). The hours of voting will be from 6:00 am 9:00 pm, extending the work hours of each election inspector by 7 hours.
5 Early Voting * Mandated to be open for 9 days prior to every election - Primary, General, or Special and for approximately 60 hours over those days. Tompkins County has selected two early voting sites, the Town of Ithaca Town Hall and Crash Fire Rescue (CFR) Building, to make early voting convenient to as many voters as possible. As with any poll site, bipartisan representation is required. * Electronic Poll Books (EPBs) have become necessary to handle the quick turnaround time from the end of early voting to Election Day. We also have new reporting requirements from the State Board that make the EPBs essential for compliance.
Full-Time Equivalents 6 2020 Target 2020 Rec # % 2017 2018 2019 Change Change 7.15 8.30 7.65 7.80 9.95 2.15 30.07% Increasing Senior Voting Machine Technicians to full time Additional hours for typically part-time Clerks and Voting Machine Technicians to assist with Early Voting, machine preparations, and office help
Over-Target Requests Supported by the Recommended Budget 7 Page # OTR # Req. OTR Req. Source Rec. OTR Rec. Source Priority Purpose 4-16 89 1 $160,811 One-Time $160,811 Target 2020 Elections 4-17 90 2 $30,122 Target $30,122 Target Early Voting and Extended Hours 4-17 5 3 $4,155 Target $4,155 Target NTS Voter Database Software Contract Increase
