An upcoming Richmond by-election could cost taxpayers $150,000 less than first estimated – but this would mean cutting back on mail-in and advanced voting.
Richmond city council asked its staff at a recent finance meeting to clarify why the original by-election budget to replace former City Coun. Kelly Greene was estimated at $716,000.
The original plan was to have 10 voting places on election day, 10 advance voting places over four days and to allow all voters to cast their ballot by mail.
A reduced budget would mean there are only two advance voting days and the only voters who can cast a mail-in ballot are those with physical disabilities, illness or injury or those who will be away on general voting day.
City staff are still recommending council go for the higher budget in order to ensure the election is “COVID-19 compliant” and adheres to public health orders.
The 2018 municipal election cost about $670,000 to run.
Victoria recently held a by-election, for which $520,000 was budgeted (the City of Victoria has about 70,000 registered voters while Richmond has about 140,000).
The by-election date hasn’t been set yet but it is expected to be held this spring.
So far, two candidates have declared their intentions to run.
Richmond city council will look at the by-election budget issue at Tuesday’s finance committee meeting.
