Special Election Will Cost NJ Taxpayers - But How Much?

Gov. Chris Christie has agreed to reimburse counties for the additional costs of holding two special elections to fill a Senate seat in New Jersey. But taxpayers are still footing the bill.

The Office of Legislative Services has estimated the cost for renting polling places, transporting voting machines, printing and mailing ballots and hiring additional staff will be close to $24 million. But at a recent news conference, the governor said he's still not sure what the actual costs to each county will be.

“As soon as they send in their bills, we'll audit them, look at their books to make sure no one is trying to play games with us and get something for nothing,” Christie said.

The Division of Elections expects to reimburse counties before Dec. 31. 2013.