Notwithstanding any other laws to the contrary, all expenses and costs incurred by the state or any county commission in carrying out the responsibilities and duties required in this article shall be paid by the State of Alabama. All costs associated with this article shall be drawn from funds made available to the Secretary of State under state and federal law to pay all such expenses and costs in all counties regardless of whether a state elective office or referendum appears on the ballot in a particular county.
Ala. Code § 17-11-51 (1975)