The first recall election of its kind in Lee County is underway, and WINK Investigates is examining the actual cost, funded by taxpayer dollars.
WINK Investigates Reporter Olivia Jean requested a detailed cost breakdown from the Lee County Supervisor of Elections Tommy Doyle responded directly, offering transparency on where the money is going, how it’s being spent, and what happens after the election.
The special recall election in the Town of Fort Myers Beach is estimated to cost approximately $20,000, covering a wide array of logistical and operational needs. Here’s how that taxpayer money is being used:
Postage and printing a notice to all registered voters in the town
Election Systems & Software on-site support
Printing of Vote by Mail Ballots by our vendor
Postage for outgoing and incoming Vote by Mail ballots
Advertising costs for the election and sample ballot in the Breeze
Payments to poll workers
Training supplies, election worker availability letters, postage, and return responses
Full-time staff overtime
Printing of Election Day ballots
Transporting equipment to and from the polling site
According to the Supervisor of Elections’ office, the list above does not include all costs related to the elections.
Notably, this full-scale recall election effort is for just 3,400 eligible registered voters.
When asked about the budget source and how the cost will be absorbed, Supervisor of Elections Tommy Doyle explained the process.
“Our FY 2025/26 budget will cover the initial cost of the election. Once all election costs are collated, the Town will be invoiced for the actual expense of the recall election, as they are responsible for covering these costs,” Doyle said.
Doyle added, “The funds we receive for the election are returned to the County at the end of the fiscal year and cannot be used by our office.”
Although the recall is unique in nature, Doyle emphasized that his office is preparing for this election just like it would for any other. “Our office is preparing for this election no differently than a regular election,” he said.
READ MORE: Recall drama unfolds on Fort Myers Beach as council members fight back
With ongoing court rulings related to the eligibility of specific candidates on the ballot, Doyle addressed how the office will handle votes for disqualified individuals.
“If a court decides that votes for a particular candidate should not be counted, then those votes will not be tallied. However, the candidate will remain on the ballot, as the ballots have already been printed and mail ballots are currently being sent to voters,” said Doyle.
Voters will be notified if a vote for a specific candidate may not be counted.
WINK News will continue to follow this story closely as additional developments, both financial and legal, emerge.