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Appropriations committee asks Secretary of State for more information after HAVA match extension denied
Summary
Committee members asked for additional information from the Secretary of State after the Election Assistance Commission denied an extension for a $200,000 HAVA state-match; the committee delayed final action on the budget item pending that follow-up.
Members of the Committee on Appropriations asked the Secretary of State's office to provide more information after the office reported the Election Assistance Commission denied an extension for a $200,000 state match related to the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) grant.
Chair Wasinger presented the Secretary of State's revised FY2026 estimate and described HAVA-related supplemental requests to provide the required state match. A committee member then read a late communication from the Secretary of State that the EAC had denied an extension on the $200,000 match. The committee moved to request more information from the Secretary of State's office about that denial before finalizing the budget. The motion was seconded and passed by voice vote.
Chair Wasinger also outlined FY2027 HAVA-related items including county grants for election security, regulation-modernization software and other adjustments; the committee later passed the Secretary of State budgets as amended after receiving additional committee guidance.
Why it matters: the HAVA state-match affects the Secretary of State's ability to accept federal election-security grants that fund county equipment and system upgrades; the committee requested clarification so it can ensure the state match is properly budgeted before finalizing appropriations.
What the committee asked for: additional explanation of the EAC denial and confirmation whether existing democracy fund or fee fund balances can cover the state match. The transcript records the motion to request more information and the committee's approval of that motion by voice vote.
