State Officials Consider Plans For $7M Federal Election Security Grant

The state Elections Commission met Wednesday to consider how to use millions in federal grant money aimed at increasing elections security before the fall elections.

In March, Congress authorized $380 million in grant funding for state elections officials to help secure their systems. Wisconsin is slated to receive $6.9 million from the federal government, with a state match of about $349,000.

“We really need to think through and spend this money in the most effective ways possible,” said Mark Thomsen, chair of the Elections Commission.

According to state elections officials, they plan to first use the funds on security upgrades to the state’s online election systems, hiring additional staff and contractors, and security training sessions for clerks across the state.

The commission is aiming to implement some of those changes before the August and November elections.

“We’re going to do everything we can to maximize the money to secure the elections,” Thomsen said.

Meagan Wolfe, interim administrator of the Elections Commission, said officials haven’t set out specific plans for all $7 million of the grant money.

According to Wolfe, the commission is aiming to keep some flexibility as election security needs unfold over the next several years.

“Elections security is a very dynamic process,” she said. “We need to maintain some level of flexibility in our approach.”

The commission plans to seek input from clerks, other state officials and members of the public on how to use the remainder of those funds over the next five years.

Before the money can be spent, the state Department of Administration has to approve Wisconsin’s acceptance the federal money. Thomsen said he’s optimistic that approval will come.

“Frankly, I would be shocked if it isn’t but, you know, these are funny times,” he said. “We’ve had wonderful gifts of federal money that our current governor hasn’t utilized in the past.”