As the midterm elections loom just two months away, a pressing concern has emerged regarding the security of the nation’s electoral process. Senators Alex Padilla of California and Joseph Morelle of New York have taken a firm stance, demanding that the Trump administration release over $39.6 million in funds allocated for election security measures. This critical funding, designated in the fiscal year 2026 DHS Appropriations bill passed in April, remains untouched, raising alarms among election officials and security experts.
The letter, exclusively obtained by NPR, highlights the urgent need to protect state and local elections from cyber threats and mis- and disinformation campaigns. The senators emphasize that time is running out to implement necessary safeguards before the November elections. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) have yet to respond to requests for comment on the matter.
Critical Funding for Election Infrastructure Information Sharing Center
The senators’ letter specifically points to the Election Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center a vital resource for state and local election officials. This center provides intelligence on how bad actors target election infrastructure. However, funding cuts in March 2025 have forced the center to adopt a paid membership model, making it inaccessible to under-resourced communities. This shift has left many election officials vulnerable to sophisticated cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns.
The threat of foreign election meddling has been a significant concern since the 2016 presidential election, when the U.S. intelligence community concluded that Russia attempted to interfere. Since then, other foreign adversaries, including Iran, have intensified their efforts to undermine confidence in the American electoral system. The senators warn that the Trump administration’s focus on election security as a political issue has diverted attention from these critical threats.
The Trump Administration’s Approach to Election Security
The Trump administration has historically treated election security as a political issue, dedicating significant resources to casting doubt on the intelligence community’s 2016 assessments and proving false claims of election fraud in 2020. Most recently, in July, President Trump delivered a primetime speech about election vulnerabilities, offering no new evidence to support his claims. Meanwhile, the administration has slashed federal funding for election security programs and cut jobs focused on the issue, including at DHS’s CISA.
Padilla and Morelle express grave concern over the removal of hundreds of CISA personnel and attempts by the Trump administration to slash the agency’s budget. They argue that the need for election security funding is particularly urgent given ongoing conflicts, the rapid increase in cyberattacks targeting American critical infrastructure, and the advancements in artificial intelligence that are uncovering vulnerabilities in code faster than ever before.
Foreign Threats and the Urgency of Election Security
The senators highlight the disturbing timing of these funding cuts, as the nation is at war with the Republic of Iran, which has reportedly engaged in sophisticated cybersecurity attacks. These attacks have targeted water infrastructure in the United States and nuclear energy facilities in the United Kingdom. Russia, China, and other foreign and non-state actors also possess significant cyber and online election interference capabilities, which are likely increasing with advances in artificial intelligence.
The lawmakers conclude that the Trump administration is unlikely to repair trust with election officials before the November elections. However, they assert that federal officials have an obligation to distribute funds to the information sharing center and to support local election security advisory positions across the country.
Local Officials React to Funding Cuts
Adrian Fontes, the secretary of state of Arizona, provided a blunt assessment of the situation. He stated, “DHS is actively sabotaging elections by not funding these programs.” Fontes drew a parallel between the funding cuts and the administration’s push to implement rules that would sabotage mail voting. Despite these challenges, Fontes remains confident that states will rise to the occasion, ensuring safe, secure, and accessible elections for every eligible voter, even in the face of reduced federal support.
This moment serves as a reminder that states hold the power over election administration. As the midterm elections approach, the urgency to secure election infrastructure cannot be overstated. The actions taken now will determine the integrity of the electoral process and the confidence of the American people in their democracy.
