GOP Caucus Comes With Price Tag

The landslide victory for Mitt Romney across eastern Idaho and the entire state isn’t the only set of numbers in this process. As with any event, there was a cost involved.

A couple of committees have provided some initial estimates of how much county GOP groups spent on their caucuses.

In Bonneville County, Chairman Don Shanz said the entire thing cost in the ballpark of $5,500, about $3,000 of that total going to voting tokens, $1,900 to security and Idaho Falls High School Civic Auditorium rental. Compare that to Bingham County’s estimated caucus price tag: $1,450. The county operated four locations at high school gyms and a fire house. Three hundred fifty dollars were spent on a ballot voting system, $600 on elections staff and about $500 on postage for letters encouraging attendance.

“By having a site in Aberdeen, by having a site in Shelley, and one across the river seven miles from us, I think it increased our turnout, because they could stay close to home,” said Bingham County GOP Committee Chair Scott Reese.

Treasurer Donvan Harrington said they’re proud of keeping costs low.

Treasury representatives for Madison and Jefferson counties were unavailable.