Early Voting: Does it save money?

Many claim that early voting, whether relaxed absentee balloting or in-person, saves money. (All of these are "mixed" systems that involve significant levels of day-of-election voting, so are not really comparable to a system like Oregon's where everyone votes by mail.)

I've seen few precise cost estimates, however, and can think of reasons that maintaining polling stations for a few weeks may end up costing more money.

There is a brief reference in today's story, from the New Bern (NC) Sun Journal, that early voting may be more expensive than traditional precinct balloting. They also provide a per-vote cost estimate.

Referenced story:
The New Bern Sun Journal