In order to help make the ballot process as secure as possible, counties in Montana are receiving a grant through the Montana Secretary of State from the federal Election Assistance Administration. Yellowstone County will receive $176,700 over a five-year period.
It will come in handy, according to Yellowstone County Elections Administrator Bret Rutherford. Having just recently purchased all new computers and scanners, as well as other recent upgrades, Rutherford said he believes the county’s election systems are “pretty secure” and sound, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t improvements that can’t be made. The funds will be used to “harden” and update current equipment.
One area that they will focus upon is making the election site at Metra Park more secure.
Rutherford said that he will be consulting with the County’s IT Department to determine what the county’s technology priorities should be.
They need to upgrade and replace tabulating equipment, perhaps server upgrades, and they need to acquire new ADA equipment that can be used by the disabled, which will cost $60,000. Those were some of the things Rutherford itemized.
Montana received a total of $2 million to be disbursed to the counties with a $16,000 base going to each county with additional funding based upon population. “I am sure the funds will be especially appreciated by some of the smaller counties,” said Rutherford.
