Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Lawmakers complain but approve funding for special election anyway

The state will spend up to $540,000 to hold the special election for the 2nd Congressional District despite grumbling from lawmakers about drawing down a bank account that was supposed to meet expenses until 2013.

The Interim Finance Committee of the Legislature unanimously approved reimbursing the counties for their election costs.

Former state Sen. and GOP Chairman Mark Amodei is running against Democratic state Treasurer Kate Marshall in the race to fill the seat vacated by then-Rep. Dean Heller, who was appointed to the U.S. Senate. Heller replaced Sen. John Ensign, who resigned mid-term.

Secretary of State Ross Miller told lawmakers that county officials expressed concern to his office that tight budgets would make it difficult to carry out the special election.

Earlier estimates put the cost of the election at about $750,000, but reduced early voting schedules will help hold down the tab. The counties will have to submit invoices to be reimbursed by the state.

Early voting is ongoing in the election, which will be held Sept. 13.

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