A pair of Democrats overseeing federal elections are pressing for answers regarding the Trump administration's failure to allocate funds aimed at safeguarding state and local elections, as mandated by Congress. Sen. Alex Padilla of California and Rep. Joseph Morelle of New York have sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Nick Anderson, the acting head of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), urging the restoration of over $39.6 million in funding for specific election security initiatives outlined in the fiscal year 2026 DHS Appropriations bill passed in April.
“"With the midterm elections occurring in two months, we write with grave concern that time is running out … to assist state and local election officials in protecting our elections from cyber and mis-and disinformation threats," the lawmakers stated in their letter.
Funding Gaps and Election Security
DHS and CISA have not yet responded to requests for comment from NPR. Padilla, who serves as the ranking member of the Senate Rules Committee, and Morelle, the ranking member on the Committee on House Administration, highlighted significant funding gaps affecting the Election Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center. This center has historically provided a free, voluntary resource for election officials to access the latest intelligence on threats to election infrastructure.
While there have been no large-scale hacks of voting machines, concerns over hack-and-leak tactics and misinformation campaigns on social media have gained traction, influencing public perception and media narratives. Following funding cuts in March 2025, the center has been limited to offering services through a paid membership model, which Padilla and Morelle argue is unaffordable for many under-resourced communities.
