RICHMOND, Va. -- Voters across Virginia took to the polls Tuesday to cast their vote in primary elections.
This primary season, however, the cost has been painfully high for some localities. [VIEW: Election results]
Partially because the State Board of Elections decertified electronic, touchscreen machines in April, which forced cities and counties like Henrico and Richmond to purchase new equipment.
Henrico purchased over a million dollars worth of machines that can properly scan paper ballots. Richmond decided to rent equipment for around $141,000.
"It's very much different," Kirk Showalter, Registrar with the City of Richmond, said.
"The touchscreens under Virginia law are prohibited," Showalter said; a hint that paper ballots will be used for the foreseeable future.
The new charges are in addition to the estimated $150,000 it costs each area locality to run a primary election.
"I think the parties should carry the cost, it is a party thing," Susan Byrd, a voter who supports political parties picking up the tab.
Last year, a bill in the General Assembly would have shifted the burden to political parties however it died in committee.
