There is no fiscal impact related to the requested advocacy efforts. If advocacy is successful, Contra Costa County and the state of California would stand to benefit from additional federal financial support of elections infrastructure.

The County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters, Kristin Connelly, requests the Board of Supervisors' support for the "Elections Infrastructure Initiative." The Center for Secure and Modern Elections (CSME) and the Center for Tech and Civic Life (CTCL)—in partnership with election officials and supportive organizations —have formed the Election Infrastructure Initiative to advocate for investments in critical election infrastructure of up to $20 billion over 10 years. The initial request is for Congress to appropriate at least $400 million to fund repairs and improvements to the nation's election infrastructure in the 2024 fiscal year, in advance of the election season. The request includes advocacy for funding to be allocated with two-thirds of the funds being sent directly to local election offices "where the need is greatest and most informed by local conditions," and one-third to state election officials to address statewide needs.  
  
The Board of Supervisors' adopted 2023-24 Federal Legislative Platform does not include policy or principle language related to funding for elections infrastructure. While these requests would normally route through the County's Legislation Committee prior to advancing to the Board of Supervisors, due to the timing of the request and the meeting schedule for the Legislation Committee, the most expedient route to Board consideration of this matter was to include it on the February 28, 2023 agenda of the Board.  
  
The advocacy letter template from the CSME and CTCL is included as Attachment A.