The May 1 primary election that lured only 20,498 voters cost the county $221,896, election officials said.
The turnout was just 10.64 percent of the 192,662 voters deemed to be active.
Election day officials cost $106,893. It was noted that election workers earlier received a raise.
Early voting officials were paid $44,476.
The audit by Mauldin & Jenkins cost $10,631.
Kerry Steelman, election administrator, said it has been found that very few voters cast ballots during early voting on Saturdays from 3-6 p.m. He noted that election workers are being paid overtime during that period.
Knoxville stops its early voting on Saturday at 3 p.m. and it does not seem to hurts its turnout, officials said.