State officials say it is expected to cost Massachusetts at least $13.5 million to hold the special election to fill the U.S. Senate formerly held by Secretary of State John Kerry. State Auditor Suzanne Bump has estimated that it will cost cities and towns nearly $8.3 million to run the April 30 primary election and the June 25 final. The special election has been classified by the auditor’s office as an “unfunded local mandate,” meaning the state must reimburse local communities for the costs they incur.
Secretary of State William Galvin told lawmakers Thursday that he will be asking for an appropriation of at least $5.2 million to cover election-related costs to his office.
Galvin suggested that some municipalities could shave costs by holding their local elections on the same day as the Senate election.