MADISON, Wis. (AP) - The Latest on Wisconsin Elections Commission action (all times local):
2:35 p.m.
The Wisconsin Elections Commission has voted to hire three additional staff after Gov. Scott Walker eliminated five positions with a veto in September.
The commission voted unanimously Monday for the authority to seek hiring three additional staff, with two focused on security issues.
The commission is working on updating its security plan after the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said Russian hackers had targeted the state’s election systems in 2016, but did not infiltrate them.
Elections Commission Administrator Michael Haas says a 28 percent reduction in staff since 2015 has weakened the ability of elections workers to address voter safety and eroded fulfilling all other state and federal law requirements.
Haas says the positions can be paid for with existing federal money and previously approved state funding, but legislative approval for the spots may still be needed.
___
8:37 a.m.
The Wisconsin Elections Commission is meeting to discuss ramping up its security protections in the wake of attempted Russian hacking in last year’s election.
The commission is meeting Monday to approve a security plan and to consider asking the Legislature to allow for hiring three additional staff, with two focused on security issues.
Elections Commission Administrator Michael Haas says a 28 percent reduction in staff since 2015 has weakened the ability of elections workers to address voter safety and eroded fulfilling all other state and federal law requirements.
Gov. Scott Walker cut five positions from the commission this year with a budget veto. He is calling on the commission to hire more temporary workers, but Haas says that can be problematic.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.