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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- If Utah gets a fourth congressional seat, special elections next year could cost more than $6 million, including $1.1 million for a company to supply technical support.
"That is sickening," said Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, who didn't know about the payment to Diebold.
Utah lawmakers Monday approved a map that creates a fourth district and redraws boundaries in three other districts.
If Congress agrees to expand Utah's delegation, there could be new elections in each district in 2007.
In 2005, when it negotiated a multiyear election deal with Diebold, the Lieutenant Governor's Office didn't include technical support in case of a special election. The company's subsequent bid was $1.1 million.
"In all candor, we didn't think to add it in once we got here," said election specialist Michael Cragun.
Election officials need technical assistance in case of problems with new touch-screen machines. The contract with Diebold leaves them few options to go elsewhere.
"It is unlikely and probably unwise for us to say we are not going to take this bid," Cragun said.
The state, or possibly county clerks, will have to absorb costs of a special election.
Chris Bleak, chief of staff for House Speaker Greg Curtis, R-Sandy, said he was surprised to hear the price.
"That is higher than any other figure I have heard before," he said, adding that lawmakers need to know more.
Buttars still would have voted for the new congressional map, even if he knew the full cost of elections. He said a fourth seat is "invaluable."
------ Information from: The Salt Lake Tribune, http://www.sltrib.com
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
