Democracy is priceless, but running an election is not.
It cost Fort Worth just over $2.2 million to run City Council elections and runoffs over the past decade, according to invoices reviewed by the Report.
Elections in Texas are administered by the counties they take place in. The counties then bill the local cities and other taxing entities that have names or items on the ballot for a pro rata share of election-related expenses, determined by the entity’s size.
On Nov. 18, the council members approved the final payments to Tarrant County for the May and June elections, which cost $319,018 and $235,174, respectively.
Local Republican leadership, including County Judge Tim O’Hare, recently questioned the cost of elections.
In the lead-up to November’s election, the Republican-led Tarrant County Commissioners Court voted to cut over 100 established polling places, arguing the move would save about $1 million. Earlier this month, calls from some Republicans to hand-count ballots in upcoming elections prompted others to decry the move as too expensive and unfeasible.
Here’s a look at how much it costs Fort Worth to hold elections.
When are Fort Worth City Council elections and who pays for them?
The council is composed of 11 seats, including the mayor’s, that are up for election every two years during odd-numbered May elections. While no council race is currently called for next year, council members are expected to ask voters to approve a bond package in May.
The invoices the Report reviewed covered the 10 City Council elections since 2015. Expenses for those races included administrative costs, polling locations, election judges and equipment.
The dollars come out of the city’s general fund, which this fiscal year totals $1.1 billion, a small fraction of the budget.
Any race that has more than two candidates goes to a runoff, usually in June, if no candidate secures over 50% of the vote.
Where does Fort Worth’s money for elections go?
About 95% of the $2.2 million paid by Fort Worth went to Tarrant County, which conducts the majority of Fort Worth’s elections.
Fort Worth also pays a small portion of election costs to Parker and Denton counties, which hold parts of the city.
Fort Worth pays a portion of Tarrant County’s total election expenses, splitting the cost with other entities holding elections.
How much does a Fort Worth city election typically cost?
Over the past 10 years, the median cost of the six May elections was $211,600, according to a review of the invoices.
Runoff elections were more expensive, with the median cost of those races at $218,400.
Runoff elections can equal or exceed the price of the May elections, even if they only see one race on the ballot. Since only a few entities hold runoff elections, Fort Worth’s share of the price is greater, City Secretary Jannette Goodall explained in an email.
“The costs are not subsidized,” Goodall wrote. “The costs are split based on (the) portion of the size of the entity and is based on the number of entities conducting elections.”
What was the most expensive Fort Worth city election in the past decade?
The June 2021 runoff elections were the most expensive of the past 10 years, with Tarrant County charging the city about $368,000, according to invoices.
Fort Worth was among 12 Tarrant County entities that held runoff elections then. That city ballot included five council seats, including the mayoral race, requiring polling places citywide.
What’s the biggest city cost in local elections?
Paying election personnel and poll workers is the largest expense every year, according to cost breakdowns.
For example, about 64% of expenses for May’s election were staffing-related. This includes paying people to work at polling places on Election Day or during early voting, as well as support staff.
Voting machines and equipment accounted for another $45,000 in costs, and about $30,000 funded administrative fees in that election.
Drew Shaw is a government accountability reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at drew.shaw@fortworthreport.org or @shawlings601.
At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.
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