State sends $2 million to county elections offices to bolster security

OLYMPIA — In the second year of a statewide funding program to help counties improve their elections security, the Washington state Office of the Secretary of State has provided approximately $2 million to 29 elections offices statewide, with final calculations pending.

The program’s third year of funding is now open. As in prior years, each county’s elections office can receive up to $80,000 to pay for improvements to local election security.

“County election officials and employees around the state work hard to ensure our election systems are fair and secure,” Secretary of State Steve Hobbs said. “This additional funding will go a long way to bolster security efforts.”

Lincoln County, whose commissioners objected to a required contract for online security, did not apply for the funding, a Secretary of State spokesman said.

Grant County was not included in a list of recipient counties.

Okanogan County will get $34,462.

Douglas County will receive $25,311.

Counties can use the funds to buy or upgrade elections security software and hardware, hire IT security personnel, make structural improvements, and more.

For example, Snohomish County invested in monitoring devices, security measures for ballot drop boxes, building security, and upgraded cybersecurity measures and training.

The Stevens County Auditor’s office has added multiple key physical improvements to publicly accessible areas.

“With these resources, Stevens County has successfully implemented significant security improvements in our newly rented ballot processing space,” Stevens County Auditor Lori Larsen said. “The additions, including see-through wire mesh barriers, large monitors, and a lobby management system, have enhanced transparency and security for our election processes, ensuring a secure and observable environment for our interested election observers.”

Secretary Hobbs launched the program in November 2022. $1.57 million was awarded to 25 counties in the 2022-23 fiscal year.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to work closely with election officials to better protect our elections from cyber threats and other bad actors,” Hobbs said. “With each new election cycle, these threats continue to escalate in frequency and severity.”

To be eligible, a county must have an Albert sensor in operation to monitor its network for cyber threats and attacks. The deadline for county elections offices to apply is May 2, 2025.