COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH
OVERSIGHT DIVISION
FISCAL NOTE
L.R. No.: 1893-01
Bill No.: SB 476
Subject: Elections: Appropriations
Type: Original
Date: February 23, 2001
FISCAL SUMMARY
| FUND AFFECTED | FY 2002 | FY 2003 | FY 2004 |
| General Revenue | ($5,050,986 to Unknown) | ($5,053,734 to Unknown) | ($5,055,069 to Unknown) |
| Technology | (Unknown) | (Unknown) | (Unknown) |
| Total Estimated
Net Effect on All State Funds |
($5,050,986 to Unknown) | ($5,053,734 to Unknown) | ($5,055,069 to Unknown) |
| FUND AFFECTED | FY 2002 | FY 2003 | FY 2004 |
| Total Estimated
Net Effect on All Federal Funds |
$0 | $0 | $0 |
| FUND AFFECTED | FY 2002 | FY 2003 | FY 2004 |
| Local Government | (Unknown) | (Unknown) | (Unknown) |
Numbers within parentheses: ( ) indicate costs or losses.
This fiscal note contains 5 pages.
ASSUMPTION
Officials of the Office of Attorney General's Office assume any action that could be required pursuant to this proposal, could be absorbed with existing appropriations and staff.
Officials of the Kansas City Board of Election Commission stated that the main fiscal impact with this proposal would be the costs of conducting early voting. Officials stated that early voting as envisioned could increase local costs in Kansas City by as much as $20,000, possibly more. Officials stated costs would be driven by staffing and overtime. Officials estimate the costs of other requirements of this proposal, regulations, new posters at polls, multilingual forms, provisional ballots, etc. at approximately $10,000.
Officials of the St. Louis County Board of Election Commission stated that the costs associated with early voting would cost additional money for workers, overtime pay, postage, etc.. Officials estimated costs for a 4 year election cycle would be $2,745,511.
Officials of the Office of Secretary of State assume they would need 1.0 FTE, a Grant Administrator. Officials estimate costs for salary, fringe benefits, equipment and expense for 10 months of FY 2002 $50,986; for FY 2003 $53,734 ; and $55,069 in FY 2004. Officials estimated that to increase election judges salaries to $7 dollars per hour would cost less than $100,000 in even numbered years, and approximately $100,000 in odd numbered years.
Officials of the Office of Administration stated that only Section 115.062 pertains to the operations or budget of OA. Since the State's proportional cost for transactions is not delineated in either 115.065 or 115.157, and since the state's reimbursement to election authorities for costs related to 115.157 is specifically subject to appropriation, it appears that the state does not have a current obligation. Officials stated that there are funds appropriated for this purpose in Fiscal Year 2001 ($720,430), and the Governor has recommended the same amount for Fiscal Year
2002.
(10 Mo.) * Amount would be subject to appropriation. (10 Mo.) * Costs or Income to Counties is Subject to Appropriation by the General Assembly. FISCAL IMPACT - Small Business No direct fiscal impact to small businesses would be expected as a result of this proposal. DESCRIPTION This act makes numerous changes to existing election law. With respect to voting, election
authorities shall establish an advance voting period. Sole caretakers of the ill or disabled may
vote absentee. Persons in federal service in remote areas may fax their absentee ballots. Polling
places must have large posters of voting instructions. The Secretary of State may develop
multi-lingual voting instructions and sample ballots. Butterfly ballots are prohibited unless
specifically authorized by the Secretary of State. This act authorizes the use of computerized
voting systems. Election judges may take time off from work without penalty. Election judges may be from any
political party or have no party affiliation. Also, each established political party may have a DESCRIPTION (continued ) non-voting representative to boards of election authorities. This act directs the Secretary of State to set statewide uniform counting standards. This act
deletes the provision giving election judges discretion to count ballots where a voter's intent
seems clear. This act also deletes the provision stating that ballots will not be rejected for
containing fewer marks than required by law. This act authorizes the Secretary of State to request appropriations from the General Assembly
for election services and equipment and, subject to appropriations, to administer matching grant
programs for improving voting processes or equipment, for youth voting programs, and for
increasing pay for election judges. This act permits election authorities to receive federal grants
for improving the election process in federal elections. Regarding enforcement of election laws, this act grants the Secretary of State subpoena powers to
investigate allegations of election law violations. The Attorney General may prosecute allegations of election fraud and irregularity. 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 Office of Administration Secretary of State Office of Attorney General St. Louis County Board of Election Commission Kansas City Board of Election Commission Jeanne Jarrett, CPA Director February 23, 2001
FISCAL IMPACT - State Government
FY 2002
FY 2003
FY 2004
GENERAL REVENUE FUND
Cost to Secretary of State
for:
Personal Service (1.0 FTE )
($32,540)
($40,024)
($41,025) Fringe Benefits
($10,846)
($13,340)
($13,674) Equipment and Expense
($7,600)
($370)
($370) Total costs to SOS
($50,986)
($53,734)
($55,069)
Election Judges Compensation $7 per
hr.*
$0 to($100,000)
($100,000)
$0 to($100,000)
" Kids Voting "
$0 to ($100,000)
$0 to (100,000)
$0 to ($100,000) Grant for improving election equipment*
($5,000,000 to
Unknown)
($5,000,000 to
Unknown)
($5,000,000 to
Unknown)
Estimated Net Effect to General
Revenue Fund
($5,050,986 to
Unknown)
($5,053,734 to
Unknown)
($5,055,069 to
Unknown) * Amount subject to appropriation
TECHNOLOGY TRUST FUND
Cost to Secretary of State
for Election related requirements *
(Unknown)
(Unknown)
(Unknown)
FISCAL IMPACT - Local Government
FY 2002
FY 2003
FY 2004 Income to Election Authorities
from SOS for equipment grant *
$5,000,000 to
Unknown
$5,000,000 to
Unknown
$5,000,000 to
Unknown Income to Election Authorities
from SOS for election judge salary*
$0 to $100,000
$100,000
$0 to $100,000
Cost to Election Authorities
from upgrading election equipment *
($5,000,000 to
Unknown)
($5,000,000 to
Unknown)
($5,000,000 to
Unknown) Cost to Election Authorities
from increasing election judges to $7 *
$0to ($100,000)
($100,000)
$0 to ($100,000)
Cost to Local Election Authorities
for Voting Early requirements, and other
election related requirements
(Unknown)
(Unknown)
(Unknown)
Estimated Net Effect to Local
Government
(Unknown)
(Unknown)
(Unknown)