Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Mark Church, Chief Elections Officer & Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder
Subject: HAVA Reimbursement Funds for Election Security
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing the Chief Elections Officer or their designee(s) to enter into an agreement with the California Secretary of State to receive $8,324.38 in state and federal reimbursement funding pursuant to the Help America Vote Act for the purpose of improving and enhancing election security in San Mateo County.
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BACKGROUND:
The Help America Vote Act of 2002 (“HAVA”) established a program to provide federal funds to U.S. states and territories to upgrade voting systems and improve the administration of federal elections. The U.S. Election Assistance Commission provides HAVA formula grants directly to states and U.S. territories to support the administration of elections for federal office and improvements to voting and election systems.
The State of California, in turn, allocates state and federal HAVA grant funding to counties through state contracts, such funds of which are distributed to counties on a reimbursement basis. The state requires that these agreements be approved by each County’s Board of Supervisors and supported by an appropriate County Resolution.
DISCUSSION:
As in previous years, the County of San Mateo, through its Registration & Elections Division, has qualified for a grant of $8,324.38 in state and federal HAVA funding, which is administered through the California Secretary of State, and which (as noted) are distributed on a reimbursement basis. Such funds may be used for one or more of the following purposes, as further defined in the grant agreement:
• Cybersecurity: activities related to the improvement and enhancement of County cybersecurity;
• Physical Security: activities related to the improvement and enhancement of County physical security;
• Security and Privacy Awareness Training: creating awareness, training, and education regarding security risks associated with information systems and elections; and
• Incident Response: costs related to responding to an election security incident.
A copy of the grant agreement, which uses the standard form of agreement provided by the State’s Department of General Services, is attached as Exhibit “A” to this memorandum and incorporated by this reference.
The County Attorney has reviewed and approved both the agreement and the resolution as to form.
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
Accepting these funds will further the Elections Division’s goal of ensuring voting is secure for all San Mateo County voters.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with accepting these state reimbursement funds.