Across Indiana, nearly 250,000 people have already requested mail-in absentee ballots for the Nov. 3 election. Election officials from counties throughout the state say the reason for the greater interest is the coronavirus pandemic.
The printing costs vary from county to county. Hamilton County has received close to 25,000 applications for mail-in absentee ballots.
Williams
Hamilton County Clerk Kathy Williams told the Reporter’s newsgathering partner, WISH-TV, that her cost to produce the ballots and get them in the mail is $2.20 per ballot.
Hamilton County is expecting to send out from 60,000 to 70,000 mail-in absentee ballots for the general election. Prior to the pandemic, Williams estimated the Nov. 3 election would cost the county $180,000. Williams said the main cost is manpower, and Hamilton County has added 26 temporary staff members just for early and absentee voting.
“I had to go back and ask for more money, so, no, it was not within the 2020 budget,” Williams said. “I went back and asked for an additional $30,000. I’m keeping a running total as we spend it so I know, so I know if I need to go back and ask for more.”
Hamilton County is paying workers $100 a day during early and absentee voting.
“Some of the people will work the 29 days of early voting, as well as coming in these three weeks earlier. Not everyone is working every day. We do have several that are working between now and Nov. 2,” Williams said.