THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE IS HAVING TO SHELL OUT MORE THAN HALF-A-MILLION DOLLARS TO HOLD A SPECIAL MAIL-IN ELECTION. CITY CLERK AMY BAILEY SAYS THE TOTAL COST WILL COME TO ABOUT 600-THOUSAND DOLLARS...WHICH IS ACTUALLY CHEAPER THAN THE ALTERNATIVE.

SEVERAL COMMUNITY GROUPS GATHERED ENOUGH SIGNATURES LAST YEAR TO FORCE THE CITY TO HOLD AN ELECTION. THE SINGLE ISSUE ON THE BALLOT IS A PROPOSAL TO REQUIRE THAT RUNOFF ELECTIONS BE HELD WHENEVER A CANDIDATE FAILS TO GET 50-PERCENT OF THE VOTE...INSTEAD OF THE CURRENT 40 PERCENT.