On Wednesday, the Secretary of State (SOS) released a memorandum to county elections officials on new funding available via the Legislature and Governor’s approval in the 2018-19 State Budget of $134 million for voting equipment upgrades.
For Fiscal Year 2018-2019, the following funding has been authorized by state and federal governments to be used for election purposes:
- $134 million in state funds for voting system modernization;
- $1.5 million in federal funds for costs associated with cyber security risks and associated infrastructure needs related to VoteCal; and,
- $1.5 million in federal funds for costs associated with polling place accessibility.
These funds will be allocated through state contracts with the counties and on a reimbursement based. Draft contracts are expected to be sent to counties at the end of September 2018. Purchases made by counties between April 2015 and June 2021 are eligible.
The memo also includes allocation of voting equipment upgrade monies on a county-by-county basis as well as a process receiving reimbursement. The memo can be accessed here.
During the State Budget process, RCRC supported this budget action to provide funding to assist counties in replacing voting systems and associated technology. RCRC’s letter can be accessed here.