Ready or not: Election costs soar in prep for virus voting

By ANDREW TAYLOR and CHRISTINA A. CASSIDY Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The November election is coming with a big price tag as America faces the coronavirus pandemic.

The demand for mail-in ballots is surging, election workers are in need of training and polling booths might have to be outfitted with protective shields. But long-promised federal aid to help election officials is stalled in Congress. State officials say they need more money to create a pandemic-ready voting system. Lawmakers are set to debate the funding in the coming weeks, after approving $400 million in help earlier this year. Key Senate Republicans seem likely to support another round of aid despite opposition from President Donald Trump.