Mayor Muriel Bowser has submitted a request to the Council of the District of Columbia to reprogram $144,913 of Fiscal Year 2026 Local Funds within the Board of Elections. This reprogramming is necessary to cover higher-than-expected costs associated with the newly implemented ranked choice voting system. The funds will be reallocated from the Security Services account to various other accounts, including Supplies and Materials, to ensure that the Board of Elections can effectively manage these unexpected expenses.

The Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) has reviewed the Mayor's request and found no objections to the reprogramming, noting that it will not adversely impact the Board of Elections' budget or the District's financial plan. The funds are available due to underspending in two interagency agreements related to security services. The reprogramming is below the $500,000 threshold that would require Council approval, but it is significant enough to result in a cumulative budget change exceeding that amount due to a prior approved reprogramming. The OCFO has indicated that if the request is not approved, it could lead to a violation of the Anti-Deficiency Act.