Balancing Election Costs in Hartford Connecticut

High elections cost estimates almost caused the Republican registrar in Hartford, Connecticut to cancel the town’s Republican presidential primary.

The city council had allocated $120,000 to the registrar’s office. Of that, slightly more than half was supposed to pay for the March Democratic town council race, and $54,000 was budgeted for the April Republican primary.

However, after the council election the initial estimate of how much the race cost was more than $90,000, which would have left little for the primary. But when the costs were actually tallied, the election ended up costing just under $65,000.

Hartford’s Democratic registrar, Olga Vazquez, said she reduced costs by cutting the number of ballot clerks, office temps, and people for the election setup crew.

"It was a challenge," Vazquez said. "I was caught between two hard places—satisfying the taxpayer and satisfying these candidates.”

America’s Overdose Crisis
America’s Overdose Crisis

America’s Overdose Crisis

Sign up for our five-email course explaining the overdose crisis in America, the state of treatment access, and ways to improve care

Sign up
Quick View

America’s Overdose Crisis

Sign up for our five-email course explaining the overdose crisis in America, the state of treatment access, and ways to improve care

Sign up
Article

37 Scientists Pioneering the Future of Biomedical Research

Quick View
Article

Biomedical researchers are at the heart of nearly every medical advancement. From cutting-edge cancer treatments to breakthrough discoveries about emerging viruses, these scientists use creativity and ingenuity to explore new horizons in human health and medicine. And for nearly 40 years, The Pew Charitable Trusts has supported more than 1,000 early-career researchers committed to this work.

Composite image of modern city network communication concept

Learn the Basics of Broadband from Our Limited Series

Sign up for our four-week email course on Broadband Basics

Quick View

How does broadband internet reach our homes, phones, and tablets? What kind of infrastructure connects us all together? What are the major barriers to broadband access for American communities?