BHAMILTON — Presidential election years raise the price of elections and Butler County is no different.

The board of elections will need an additional $1 million, raising the annual budget to nearly $3.7 million for this year. The budget was $4.4 million in 2008 during the last presidential election.

When the Butler County Commissioners approved the board of elections budget for this year they kept it at the 2011 level, knowing the board would be back for additional appropriations due to the presidential election. What wasn’t known was how new technology, including electronic poll books and high speed electronic scanners would effect the bottom line.

A look at the expenses from the March primary show more than $100,000 in savings from the increased efficiencies.

Expenses for the primary totaled $302,426.51, but the projection was $453,316.18, according to Jocelyn Bucaro, board of elections deputy director.

“We knew they would be back,” Dixon said, but he noted the commission wanted the board of election, as well as other departments, to cut costs.

The commission also wanted the board to assess savings measures from the new equipment absent in 2008 before funds were allocated for the remainder of the year.

“I thought they would need more,” Dixon said, adding he is pleased with the budget savings.

The electronic poll books and high speed scanners have cut ballot printing costs as well as other expenses in half.

Bucaro said the board of elections is now able to print ballots on demand as needed. Despite cost savings, high voter turnout in a presidential election year leads to increase work load and overtime.

Printing and mailing of absentee ballot are expected to increase during the November election adding to the cost, Bucaro said.

“More and more people are taking advantage of absentee voting,” she noted. But polls still have to be open on election day with staff.

Additional appropriations for the board of elections will the considered Thursday by the commission during the morning meeting.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2168 or lauren.pack@coxinc.com