Washington Secretary of State invests $3.4M in election security ahead of 2024 elections

In a proactive push for election security and voter education, Washington's State Government & Elections committee highlighted significant measures taken ahead of the 2024 elections during their recent meeting. Over the past two years, the state has allocated nearly $3.4 million to enhance election security across 31 counties, with funding available for both cyber and physical security improvements. Each county can receive up to $80,000 annually, provided they meet specific requirements, including the installation of an Albert sensor for monitoring cyber threats.

The committee also introduced innovative solutions to ensure operational continuity during potential cyber incidents. They developed "government operations and key infrastructure toolkits," which are portable networks designed to restore election operations quickly and securely. These kits, costing around $2,000 each, have a shelf life of up to ten years and can be deployed to counties in need.

In addition to security measures, the committee emphasized their extensive voter education efforts. A statewide voters pamphlet was distributed to 3.4 million households, providing crucial information about the electoral process. The office also partnered with local media and community organizations to broadcast public service announcements in multiple languages, aiming to reach diverse audiences.

The "Mark the Ballot" campaign, a comprehensive public awareness initiative, garnered impressive engagement, with over 57 million impressions and 2.6 million video views across various platforms. This campaign focused on building voter confidence and combating misinformation about the electoral process.

As the 2024 elections approach, these initiatives reflect Washington's commitment to ensuring secure and informed voting, with ongoing efforts to engage historically marginalized communities through civic engagement workshops. The deadline for counties to submit funding requests is set for May 2, 2025, as the state continues to bolster its election infrastructure and outreach efforts.