NORWICH – The Chenango County Board of Elections’ estimated budget for 2007 is 45 percent more than last year, due largely to a federal act requiring states to purchase new, handicapped-accessible voting machines.

Commissioners Harriet Jenkins and Carol Franklin told members of the Safety & Rules Committee last week that election expenses and repayments to towns for training plus equipment, supplies and materials pushed the budget up to nearly $250,000 for next year.