Voting Station Source: Jacob Emmons, Carolina JournalOn July 27, the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor (OSA) released a new report indicating that $8.4 million was spent across 91 of 100 counties that held municipal elections in 2025, with an average per-vote cost in NC of $47. According to the North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE), approximately 822,000 people voted across those 91 counties in 2025. Personnel costs include election staffing, temporary in-office, post-audit, precinct, and poll work costs, with election staffing being the most expensive, accounting for 64% ($3.2 million) of the $5.1 million spent on personnel. Operating costs include ballot printing, coding, and election materials, accounting for about 55% of the $1.1 million spent. “Auditor: $8.4 million spent on municipal elections in 2025” was originally published on www.carolinajournal.com.