DuPage County clerk warns of ‘unprecedented disaster’ in November election if funding shortfalls aren't addressed

DuPage County Clerk Jean Kaczmarek says she will not be able to deliver the “gold standard” voters have come to expect if the county board does not provide the money she says is needed to run the November election.

Kaczmarek, who lost a bid for reelection in the March primary, says her office is about $2.5 million short of what is needed to run the election. If the gap isn’t addressed, Kaczmarek said it could lead to cuts resulting in fewer polling places, a later start date for early voting and fewer election judges.

“I can’t begin to think of all the ways that we’re going to have to cut,” said Kaczmarek, adding the county would face an “unprecedented disaster” if the election funding shortfall is not addressed.

“I’ve had 11 flawless elections since I’ve been in office,” said Kaczmarek, whose first election as county clerk was in 2019. “I’m sad to think that we’re at this point that the last election will not be flawless unless we get the money, and I will not take responsibility for it.”

DuPage County Board members are expected to talk about the election funding situation during their regular meeting on Tuesday.

In an Aug. 13 email to Kaczmarek, DuPage County Board Chair Deb Conroy urged the county clerk to “just ask” for the additional funding needed.

“I know we both recognize the value of voter access and election integrity,” Conroy wrote in her email. “Therefore, if you find yourself in need of finances or other resources to print and mail ballots, or to operate all of the expected polling places in DuPage County, please just ask.”

Conroy said Thursday Kaczmarek has not provided information on what funding is needed or made any requests for additional funding.

However, Kaczmarek says the county board has been well aware of the funding gap since last year, when the board did not fully fund her budget request.

During a finance committee meeting in October, Kaczmarek and her deputy chief, Adam Johnson, told board members the clerk’s office would face a $2.5 million shortfall as a result of the county’s proposed budget.

“They’ve been aware for over a year how much money we needed,” Kaczmarek said. “It’s not a surprise.”

According to budget figures provided by county officials, the clerk’s office has spent 99.8% of its postage budget. The county budgeted $277,050, a 201% increase over what was spent in 2022, for postage, and the clerk’s office already has spent $276,569.

In her proposed spending plan last year, Kaczmarek requested $734,672 for postage and $623,226 to cover election-related printing costs.

County officials also noted the clerk’s office already has spent 74% of its printing budget, or money used to print ballots and other election materials. The county budgeted $474,700, a 15% increase over actual expenses in 2022, the last year of a gubernatorial election. The clerk’s office already has spent $351,126.

County officials noted that Kaczmarek last year did not provide budget information in the requested format and that the finance department had to build the clerk’s budget.

Ultimately, county board members approved a 2026 budget for the clerk’s office that provided $7.47 million for election spending. That amount is a 14% increase over what the clerk’s office spent on elections in 2022.

Conroy said the balances in some of the election-related line items are concerning and has told Kaczmarek that if additional funding is needed, she can request it.

“We’re making it very clear the money is there for elections if it's needed,” Conroy said. “If she isn’t going to do that, then she’s obstructing the election.”

Board member Paula Deacon Garcia, who became the Democratic nominee for county clerk after defeating Kaczmarek during the March primary, echoed Conroy’s response, adding that taxpayers “deserve more transparency” and that the clerk’s office needs to follow county budgeting procedures.

“No one in the budget process can get a blank check,” she said.

Johnson said spending figures primarily reflect costs associated with the March primary, adding that nothing has been “prepaid” for the November election.

Kaczmarek said she is reviewing her options for the November election with her office’s election attorney. She does not intend to be at Tuesday’s county board meeting.