Secretary of State Jason Kander's office was awarded $18,697 in grants to Cole County to increase election efficiency and provide up-to-date equipment and services for voters and poll workers.
The $18,697 is composed of two awards: an election efficiency grant in the amount of $9,171 and a Help America Vote Act Grant in the amount of $9,526.
The grants can be used to purchase certified voting equipment and replacement parts, train poll workers and update voter records, among other opportunities.
The level of election efficiency grant funding is determined by the number of polling places used in the county in the most recent general election, while the funding level for the Help America Vote Act Grant is determined by the county's number of registered voters.
"Part of the monies will be used to upgrade our Internet," said Cole County Clerk Marvin Register. "The majority will be used for new voter registration cards. Those should be coming out at the first of the year. They'll be more colorful and hopefully will make people look at them and not throw in the trash."