Democrats Urge Homeland Security to Fund Election Security Ahead of Midterms

Lawmakers have issued a joint statement expressing “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 letter, addressed to the Department of Homeland Security, underscores the growing risk of coordinated cyber attacks and coordinated misinformation campaigns aimed at undermining voter confidence and election integrity.

In the letter, the lawmakers highlight recent incidents in which state election systems were targeted by ransomware and where false narratives were amplified on social media ahead of voting days. They urge the federal government to provide additional resources, including cybersecurity training, threat intelligence sharing, and funding for modernizing election infrastructure. The statement calls for a coordinated effort between federal, state, and local agencies to strengthen defenses and ensure that election officials can respond swiftly to emerging threats.

The lawmakers conclude by emphasizing the urgency of the situation, noting that delays could compromise the security of upcoming elections. They request that the Department of Homeland Security prioritize the allocation of resources and develop a comprehensive plan to support state and local election officials in safeguarding the electoral process against both cyber and informational attacks.