Issue One Welcomes $45 Million in Election Security Funding, Urges Congress to Deliver the Resources Elections Truly Need

Issue One welcomes passage of legislation including $45 million in Election Security Grants for states, while emphasizing that the funding level remains far below what is needed to fully protect federal elections.

Issue One’s Policy Director Michael McNulty noted that:

“Election officials are stepping up every cycle to protect our elections, often with limited staff, aging systems, and growing threats. They are securing critical systems, managing complex processes, and facing harassment and intimidation – all while ensuring every eligible voter can safely cast a ballot.

“While this funding is a step in the right direction, it covers only a small fraction of the resources needed. Congress must follow through with sustained, long-term investment that truly matches the scale and importance of the heroic work that election officials do.”

BACKGROUND 

The $45 million in funding is included in the Financial Services and General Government appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2026, part of a broader minibus package that provides resources for the Election Assistance Commission and other federal priorities. The legislation passed both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate and was signed by the President.

Over 20 members of Issue One’s Faces of Democracy, a bipartisan coalition of current and former election officials, sent a letter to Congress last December warning that “without urgent and adequate support, election officials will be forced to do more with less at a time when the risks are growing more acute.” The letter called for at least $400 million in FY 2026 funding bills to meet baseline election security and administration needs nationwide, noting that years of inconsistent and insufficient investment have left states stretched thin. The signees emphasized that “it is long past time for Congress to treat election security as the national security priority it is and provide the sustained support our nation’s elections deserve.”

Recent analyses have made it clear that administering elections is increasingly expensive, with costs driven by heightened security needs, expanded early and mail voting options, aging equipment, and increased staffing demands. State and local election offices are being asked to do more each cycle, often without corresponding increases in funding, leaving many jurisdictions dependent on short-term federal assistance to cover essential expenses.

At the same time, election officials continue to face escalating threats to their safety and well-being. National surveys of election administrators show widespread concern about harassment, intimidation, and political pressure, contributing to burnout and making it harder to recruit and retain experienced professionals.