Panel to debate how to spend $7.8M election security grant

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin elections officials plan to debate how to spend a new $7.8 million federal election security grant.

The U.S. Elections Assistance Commission plans to make the money available to the state if the commission can come up with a matching $1.56 million.

The Wisconsin Election Commission has identified that money within its budget and plans to discuss at a meeting Thursday how to spend the grant. Options include sub-grants for local officials, buying technology for locals, upgrade firewalls, protect election-related hardware and establishing data back-up systems. The WEC must submit a spending plan to federal officials by April.

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