He may no longer be in Congress, but Trey Radel may still pass one more bill for the voters of Southwest Florida. The special election to replace Radel, who resigned for his cocaine scandal, is costing you the taxpayer more than $1.5 (m). Lee County Supervisor of Elections, Sharron Harrington, says she could have saved the taxpayers money if the state legislature would consider some new ideas. Harrington wants to have the option to do “mail only” for special and municipal elections. Trey Radel’s resignation will cost the voters of Southwest Florida one million dollars, according to Harrington. Collier County had to shell out another $500,000 to cover their expenses.
But Harrington says, she could save the county nearly $250,000 with each county wide election if allowed to do vote by mail. Harrington says,”I think it would be a lot better turn out and it would be a lot more cost effective.”
With this special election, only 3% of registered voters actually voted on election day. Nearly 40% voted by mail. With the average mail-in-ballot only costing $2.50, the county could save money by not having to pay for poll workers, public notices and multiple equipment.
Full Article: Trey Radel passes $1.5 (m) bill to voters for special election – WFTX-TV Fort Myers/Naples, FL.