Wisconsin Sheriff’s Group May Use $300K for Election Security

(TNS) — The Badger State Sheriffs’ Association received a sizeable anonymous donation that officials may put toward bolstering election security in the state.

Chippewa County Sheriff Travis Hakes shared in an email Wednesday that the Sheriffs’ Association “received a $300,000 donation from an anonymous donor.”

The Badger State Sheriffs’ Association may use the funds to help fund election security work, John Gossage, Executive Director of the Badger State Sheriffs’ Association says in a press release.

One of three identified areas that could benefit from the donation is election integrity, the release says.

Voting 3

Election worker Ray Myers feeds absentee ballots to an election machine at the Lake Hallie Municipal Building on August 13.

“Election Integrity Initiatives will assist sheriffs in the event of an election recount and making sure that the clerks offices are supported with security if requested,” the release says. “These dollars could be used to offset overtime for deputies to assist in ensuring a safe and secure process.”

Other programs that will be considered as benefactors of the donation are Sheriffs Adopting Sheriffs and the Safety-First Initiative, the release says.

The Badger State Sheriffs’ Association is comprised of all 72 Wisconsin sheriffs and supports the sheriffs elected across the state.

“The association is there to assist sheriffs by providing resources and training to every sheriff’s office as each sheriff fulfills their constitutional responsibilities in their respective county,” the Association website says.

The Association Board of Directors will meet at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5 to review the recommendations and discuss the disbursements.

Sheriffs Adopting Sheriffs is a program the organization has long participated in.

“Monies will be given to those sheriff’s deputies and families who were affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Wisconsin sheriffs raise money within their own agency and donate to the victims of these natural disasters,” the release says. “Additional funds from

this anonymous donation will be used to enhance the gifts.”

The Safety-First Initiative provides non-lethal equipment to sheriffs who may need ballistic vests and equipment to keep their deputies safe in the performance of their jobs.

“In 2021 the WI BSSA received monies to assist deputies in this regard. We will explore the possibilities of more Sheriffs benefiting from this program,” the release says.

Once the Board of Directors vote on the matter, the association will provide a breakdown of funding and the avenues selected for using the money, the release says.

© 2024 the La Crosse Tribune (La Crosse, Wis.). Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.