Additional funds are needed in the postage line item to offset expenditures. The cost of the biannual mailing of voter registration certificates absorbed 70% of the budget. We are currently processing and mailing approximately 1,000 voter certificates per week at the newly increased postage rate of $0.34 each. At that rate, just the mailing of new voter certificates will cost about $12,000 to complete the fiscal year. With the interest in the 2014 November election, voter registrations could be greater. In connection with the Primary Elections, the Elections Office has received 1,800 ballot by mail requests, and counting, due to two large mailings sent out by candidates. Deadline to receive applications for ballot by mail is 2/21/14. It costs $0.70 to mail each envelope with the ballot materials. |