The NY Daily News reports: Special elections are truly special: they draw tiny turnouts, but cost city taxpayers a bundle.

The three special elections held so far this year cost a combined $1,155,000 according to the city’s Board of Elections.

Only a total of about 35,171 votes were cast in the three elections, out of 240,568 registered voters. The average per-vote cost of staging the elections was $32.84 – nearly twice as much as the per-vote cost in the last general elections for the same seats.

Critics have long complained about special elections, which are generally held in the dead of winter and, often, for the benefit of political bosses or their organizations. Defenders say: “Democracy ain’t cheap!”

Here’s the three special elections and how much each cost:

– $320,000 for the Feb. 9 election in the 24th Assembly District in Queens (which includes Hollis, Fresh Meadows, Glen Oaks, Bellerose and Little Neck).

Former Councilman David Weprin won the seat previously held by his brother Mark, who had won David Weprin’s City Council seat last November. Of the 68,428 registered voters, 7,222 cast ballots. The per-vote cost: $44.30.

– $475,000 for the March 16 election in the 13th Senate District in Queens (Jackson Heights, East Elmhurst and Corona). It filled a vacancy caused by the Senate’s ouster of Hiram Monserrate after his misdemeanor assault conviction.

Monserrate lost his comeback bid to then-Assemblyman Jose Peralta. Of 108,255 registered voters, 15,726 cast ballots. The per vote cost: $30.20.

Peralta’s Assembly vacancy will be filled in the regular elections later this year.

– $360,000 for the March 23 election in the 44th Council District in Brooklyn (Borough Park, Midwood, Bensonhurst). It was held to fill a vacancy caused by Simcha Felder’s resignation to become a deputy city controller.

David Greenfield beat out two rivals with 58% of 12,223 unofficial votes (official results have yet to be certified). There are 63,885 registered voters in the district. The per-vote cost: $29.45.

Board of Elections officials recently complained that their costs of holding the three special elections have yet to be funded by Mayor Bloomberg’s budget office. It’s a piece of the board’s larger budget fight with the mayor.

In the past, the city has eventually covered the board’s cost of holding special elections. But, technically, the board’s 10 commissioners – two appointed from each borough by their respective Democratic and Republican county leaders – are personally liable for any overspending.

(Read More: NY Daily News)