Rhode Island Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea recently announced $121,539 in grant funding for Barrington, Bristol, Little Compton, Middletown, and Warren to strengthen the cybersecurity of voting systems and improve election processes. 

These grants are awarded as part of Rhode Island’s share of $3 million from Congress under the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) intended to strengthen elections security across the country.

 “Election security starts at the local level,” said Secretary Gorbea. “There is no finish line when it comes to cybersecurity. Threats are always evolving, so we must constantly assess our systems and processes at both the state and local levels and make improvements to mitigate risk. These grants will help these communities do just that. I would like to thank our Congressional delegation for their leadership and advocacy at the federal level, which has led to us receiving these funds to strengthen the cybersecurity of our election systems.”

Under Secretary Gorbea’s cybersecurity grant program, municipal election officials proactively completed a survey assessing their cybersecurity needs. Cities and towns then had the opportunity to submit grant project proposals to the Department of State based on the results of their assessment. Finally, a cybersecurity review panel examined and approved each proposal to make sure the project elements were consistent with the HAVA grant guidelines—to be used to acquire training, equipment, and/or technology that improves election administration and security on a local level.

The Town of Barrington will receive $48,900 to upgrade cybersecurity software for elections infrastructure.

“The Town of Barrington is excited to receive this grant from Secretary of State Gorbea,” said Barrington Town Clerk Meredith DeSisto. “We must protect and secure our election system network with the safest measures possible. With the help of these funds, we believe that we can help provide and defend our local election officials with the knowledge and security against a cyber-attack.”

Grants will be awarded to 19 communities throughout the state, totaling close to $550,000.