The Faulkner County Clerk has requested about $40,000 more than what has been previously budgeted for the General Election.

County Clerk Melinda Reynolds, representing the Faulkner County Election Commission, asked the Finance and Administration Committee for the extra funds, although she stated that the true amount should be closer to about $32,000. The committee approved the request for more in case there is a need for more in the next few weeks.

Absentee ballots have cost about $9,000 or about $2.12 per ballot sent out. The cost is the county’s and will not be reimbursed by the state. The state reimburses for primaries and special elections.

“I’m not going to say this is all the expenses,” Reynolds said. “We don’t know how many people will show up as poll workers.”

The county also has to pay for two proclamations, one in May and one later in the year that run in the Log Cabin Democrat. The advertising cost is about $8,000.

The committee favored appropriating more money than is needed with the remainder to be placed back in the general fund following the election.

The committee also declared a vacancy on the Quorum Court to be sent to Gov. Mike Beebe. Justice of the Peace Mark Bailey resigned his position after it was found out that the address he listed on his campaign filing was not his official residence.

According to the ordinance, the governor will appoint a replacement, although that replacement may only serve November and December. Bailey’s opponent in the election, Michael Yoder, is the only other candidate on the ballot for District 8.