Protests that happened months ago sparked recall efforts, which have some counties going back over their books.
Special elections can be costly and now we could have two in the 10th Senate District. Republican Senator Sheila Harsdorf holds that seat and since another republican decided to run as a democrat out of protest, we could see a primary before the recall election itself.
No clerk could have guessed how 2011 was going to shape up when it comes to politics. “This year was scheduled to be a two election cycle, so I budgeted about $30,700,” says Carole Wondra, Polk County Clerk.
With a recount already in the books, clerks in the 10th Senate District are staring at a recall election and likely primary. Those extra elections come with a cost.
“I’m guesstimating right around $10,000 for each election, give or take a little here or there,” says Wondra. “And that doesn’t include the municipalities expenses, they have to pay their poll workers and pay for ballots.”
That’s the estimate for Polk County. There are four other counties that make up the 10th Senate District. Burnett County is anticipating a cost of $8,000 per election, St. Croix County $12,000, Pierce County could be around $20,000 and Dunn County estimates anywhere from $5,000 to $8,000.
Clerks in those counties say the recall elections will send them over budget, which means they’ll have to dip into the general fund to cover the extra expense.
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