FORT LAUDERDALE — Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday directed the state's chief elections official to seek $19.2 million in federal money to help counties protect against possible cyber-security attacks in the 2018 election.

Scott's action came hours after the official, Secretary of State Ken Detzner, was quoted as saying the money wouldn't be available before November because accepting it would require approval by the Legislature — even though that step could be taken at a 15-minute meeting.

"The answer is no," Detzner said earlier, in effect ruling out chances that the much-needed money could be used this year. That would come as a disappointment to county elections officials, who are desperate for the money.

Detzner spoke to reporters Tuesday at a statewide conference of election supervisors, where the hottest issue by far was how to protect the election systems in the nation's most important battleground state from malicious intrusions — like the attempted Russian hack in 2016.​

Detzner also indicated the state was applying for the money. Scott’s statement, issued shortly after noon Wednesday, gave the issue added urgency, and underscored a heightened sense of political awareness in a year in which the governor is seeking a U.S. Senate seat.

 

"The integrity of our elections is paramount, and we'll keep fighting to ensure that every Floridian continues to have confidence in our elections process," Scott said in a statement. "By directing DOS (the Department of State) to draw down more federal funding, we are providing the resources our local elections officials need to keep our elections secure."

Detzner, a Scott appointee and one of his longest-serving agency heads, was with reporters when Scott's statement appeared.