The Ekalaka Eagle - Your Community Builder

On Tuesday, Secretary of State Corey Stapleton announced the awarding of 2018 HAVA Election Security Grants to Montana’s counties. The funds are part of a federal appropriation to update and improve security in elections. A $750,000 subgrant was made available to all Montana counties to share in the replacement of antiquated voting equipment or to supplement current voting equipment.

A listing of each county and its subgrant allocation and required county match showed that Carter County was allocated $7,058.42. Fallon County was allocated $3,529.21, Powder River County was allocated $10,587.63 and Custer County was allocated $17,646.05. The largest sums will go to Flathead County, $44,115.13, and Missoula County, $45,879.73.

The grants will help counties buy the new ExpressVote voting system, which will be easier to manage for election judges and a great benefit to voters with disabilities. The 2019 Montana legislature approved use of the new technology at the request of Secretary Stapleton, who worked with disability groups on the legislation.

“This is a big step in the right direction for counties to upgrade election technology that strengthens Montana’s election security ahead of 2020,” said Stapleton.