Issue One’s NCEI co-chairs call on Congress for renewed investments in U.S. elections ahead of November

In a new letter, co-chairs of Issue One’s bipartisan National Council on Election Integrity (NCEI) called on Congress to provide regular and consistent funding to support our nation’s critical election infrastructure and the election officials who continue to administer free, fair, and secure elections.

In the letter addressed to key Republican and Democratic congressional leaders in advance of this morning’s House Administration Committee hearing, NCEI Co-chairs and former members of Congress Barbara Comstock (R-VA), Donna F. Edwards (D-MD), Tim Roemer (D-IN), and Zach Wamp (R-TN) requested at least $75 million in election security grant funding for Fiscal Year 2024, and $400 million for Fiscal Year 2025.

“Federal funding is all the more essential this year as election officials face new threats and challenges, including the increase of targeted threats and harassment towards election officials and the rise in foreign cyber interference threats to election processes,” the letter states. “While the $75 million proposal does not meet the full need that election officials have demonstrated, it is an essential down-payment on securing democracy in 2024.”

The letter continues: “The appropriation of election security funds in 2024 would be a major help for election officials who are under pressure today, but ensuring the long-term consistent appropriation of these funds is equally essential.”

Issue One’s NCEI has repeatedly called on Congress to “listen to local election officials and responsibly invest in our critical election infrastructure” by appropriating $400 million for election security grants. Investing in elections now in advance of 2024 is a crucial step to protect administrators. Moreover, ensuring U.S. elections are adequately funded enjoys bipartisan support from the general public. According to a national poll commissioned by Issue One, 69% of Americans — including 74% of Democrats and 66% of Republicans — believe that the federal government should be equally, or more, responsible for election funding than local municipalities and state governments.

The NCEI, formed in advance of the 2020 election, is made up of 40 government, political, and civic leaders united in purpose to strengthen and defend the legitimacy of our elections.

Read the full letter and learn more about Issue One’s National Council on Election Integrity.