McLean County Clerk Kathy Michael said the special election to replace former Congressman Aaron Schock will cost around $300,000. (WJBC file photo)
By Joe Ragusa
BLOOMINGTON – The McLean County Clerk’s office is gearing up for an expensive election to replace former Congressman Aaron Schock.
Kathy Michael said she expects the election to cost around $300,000. The small expenses add up quickly.
“For our election vendor, it costs almost $1,000 a precinct for them to plug in all the electronic stuff and the ballots,” Michael said. “You’re talking times 53 (precincts) is $53,000 right there. And then the election judges, we have to hire all of those. They are $145 a piece at about 250 judges.”
Michael said she also expects low turnout because the primary is near the Fourth of July holiday and the general election is shortly after Labor Day on a Thursday.
Three republicans and two democrats are vying for the 18th congressional seat. The primary is July 7 and the general election is Sept. 10.
Joe Ragusa can be reached at joe.ragusa@cumulus.com.
