When they're campaigning, politicians promise to help citizens and communities.

Well, help is needed as Fresno and Kern counties deal with the budget consequences of holding two special elections in a span of two weeks -- and, in all likelihood, a third election just seven weeks later.

On Tuesday, May 21, voters in Fresno and Kern counties -- as well as in Kings and Tulare counties -- will go to the polls to select Michael Rubio's replacement in the state's 16th Senate District.

Then, on June 4, Fresno voters will decide the fate of Mayor Ashley Swearengin's attempt to privatize residential garbage collection. In Bakersfield, on that day, voters will determine the City Council replacement for Rudy Salas, who was elected to the Assembly last November.

Finally, if none of the candidates wins a majority of the votes for the Senate seat, there will be a runoff on July 23.

The cost of the Senate election is estimated to be $1.3 million for Fresno County; the cost of the trash collection election has been pegged at $950,000. Fresno County elections chief Brandi Orth says $125,000 could be trimmed from each election if they were held on the same day.

The reason they're not are the specifics of the state elections code and the city's rules regarding the trash referendum.

We urge the state Legislature and Gov. Jerry Brown to come up with a quick law that allows the Senate election to be moved to June 4 -- saving stressed local governments money and possibly increasing voter turnout in Fresno and Bakersfield.

We're confident the candidates won't mind. The extra days would give them more time to sell themselves to voters.

As for Rubio, state campaign records show that he had about $212,000 in his 2014 re-election chest at the end of last year. He ought to donate it to the counties forced to hold special elections because of his sudden resignation.

Bob Stern, former general counsel for the state Fair Political Practices Commission, said that giving campaign donations to the counties would be an "appropriate use" of the money. But, noted Stern, "It's never happened before."

Rubio said that he resigned because of family considerations. If that is true, he'll donate his leftover campaign cash to the counties -- not to candidates inclined to favor his new employer, Chevron Corp.