Counties estimate mail ballots for special election more costly

By Cy Ryan

Thursday, June 30, 2011 | 5:05 p.m.

CARSON CITY – Conducting the upcoming special election for U.S. House by mail-in ballot would cost more than traditional voting at polling places, according to estimates from Nevada counties.

Secretary of State Ross Miller has asked counties about the projected costs for the Sept. 13 election.

Clark County estimated mail-in balloting for its 33,401 registered voters in the 2nd Congressional District would cost $75,560, compared to $44,692 for traditional precinct voting. A major cost, according to the secretary of state’s office, is that ballots would be mailed first class, which is more expensive.

Washoe County says a traditional election for its 220,000 voters would cost $283,700, or about $4,000 less than if the county used only mail-in ballots.

So far, 11 of the state's 17 counties have responded to Miller’s inquiry and none have said it would be cheaper to cast mail ballots.

Only Nye County has requested four precincts be designated for mail-in balloting, but Nye County didn’t estimate the cost and Miller is asking for more information.

The previous law said that in a precinct with 20 or fewer registered voters, the county clerk was authorized to use that as a mail precinct. The new law says a county clerk may establish a mailing precinct or an absent ballot mailing precinct with approval of the secretary of state.

The 2nd Congressional District spans all of Northern Nevada and a small portion of Clark County. Former Rep. Dean Heller was appointed to the U.S. Senate by Gov. Brian Sandoval, leaving the seat open.