Richmond County Elections Face Budget Cuts Amid Busy Election Year

The Richmond County Board of Elections is operating with 5% less funding in 2026 while preparing for two major countywide elections and an unbudgeted special election in March.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Richmond County Board of Elections is navigating a 5% budget cut in 2026 as they prepare for two major countywide elections and an unbudgeted special election in March. To manage the reduced funding, the office is eliminating some voter mailings, printing materials in-house, and canceling plans for a voter information guide. The unbudgeted special election for House District 130 adds further financial pressure, with the director estimating it will cost $60,000 to $70,000.

Why it matters

The budget cuts come at a critical time for the Richmond County elections office, which is responsible for managing multiple high-profile elections in 2026. The reductions in services and materials could impact voter engagement and turnout, particularly for the unbudgeted special election in March. The office's ability to effectively administer elections with limited resources is crucial for ensuring fair and accessible voting in the community.

The details

To manage the 5% budget cut, the Richmond County Board of Elections is eliminating some voter mailings, printing materials in-house, and canceling plans for a voter information guide. The office is also sending only legally required precinct cards for polling place changes, rather than the typical explanatory letters. Additionally, the board is printing election signs through the county print shop instead of an outside vendor to save money. The unbudgeted special election for House District 130 is estimated to cost $60,000 to $70,000, which the director says he is 'borrowing from the May election to pay for'.

  • The Richmond County Board of Elections first required a 3% budget cut, then an additional 2% reduction in 2026.
  • The unbudgeted special election for House District 130 is scheduled for March 2026.
  • The winner of the House District 130 special election will likely miss the entire 2026 legislative session, as it ends before they would be sworn in.

The players

Travis Doss

The elections director for the Richmond County Board of Elections.

House District 130

The district that will hold a special election in March 2026.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“You never want to talk about laying people off, and so I didn't want to take the easy road and just cut a staff person and be done with it.”

— Travis Doss, Elections Director (wrdw.com)

“The law only requires that we send a precinct card, and so that really will be all that we will do for those polling place changes for May. To send a letter to everybody, it's about $6,000.”

— Travis Doss, Elections Director (wrdw.com)

“I'm borrowing from the May election to pay for this election.”

— Travis Doss, Elections Director (wrdw.com)

What’s next

The winner of the House District 130 special election will likely miss the entire 2026 legislative session, as it ends before they would be sworn in. The term expires on December 31, 2026, requiring the winner to run again within months.

The takeaway

The budget cuts faced by the Richmond County Board of Elections highlight the challenges local election officials can encounter when managing multiple high-profile elections with limited resources. Their ability to adapt and find creative solutions to save money, while still ensuring fair and accessible voting, will be crucial for maintaining the integrity of the electoral process in the community.