Investments in voting system are needed

Even after an election takes place, the security and reliability of our election system’s infrastructure needs to remain a priority. As we continue to see increasing rates of voter turnout it will be continuously important to ensure our election system is kept secure. To support growing voter turnout while also protecting against emerging threats, we must uphold a secure, reliable electoral system. But to do so, we need increased funding from our federal lawmakers.

In the 2024 fiscal spending package, Congress appropriated $55 million in Help America Vote Act grants, a significant decline from the roughly $400 million secured under Trump's administration in 2018 and 2020. As Congress continues to contemplate next year's budget, they have the opportunity to reverse this downward trend.

Over the past summer, the Senate Appropriations Committee made the wise decision to do exactly that, advancing $75 million for election infrastructure. As Congress reconvenes and works to advance final appropriations for FY 2025, they should consider just how crucial this funding is to our elections.

Phishing attempts, cyberattacks, and misinformation campaigns from foreign nations are becoming more sophisticated, jeopardizing our election data and integrity. Major threats to our elections are clear as we saw in the most previous election when bad actors from Iran infiltrated both Donald Trump's and Kamala Harris' presidential campaigns, attempting to alter the outcome of the election.

These evolving interference tactics threaten our historically secure, reliable voting process. And with advanced attacks from hostile entities in our midst, we also risk losing public confidence in election results.

Revisiting previous funding levels will ensure states like Iowa have sufficient support to refurnish voting sites with updated election machines better equipped to thwart bad actors. Additionally, these election grants help voting administrators lead cybersecurity preparedness strategies to plan for potential interference.

Moreover, elections could not occur without voting workers and volunteers. Unfortunately, tighter funds make recruiting and retaining workers and adequately training them more challenging. Well-trained, knowledgeable, and diligent election workers are just as important as the technology we use to hold our elections.

While I believe in vigilance when it comes to federal spending, there is too much at stake without proper election funding. Election officials across the country are doing more with less, but there's a limit to how much longer they can stretch dwindling resources. Every American deserves to know that their vote is secure, counted, and free from external interference.

The federal government must ensure states have the resources they need to handle growing voting turnout. From shoring up cybersecurity to recruiting more poll workers, every dollar counts. By restoring HAVA grants to their previous levels, Congress has the opportunity to fortify our elections and preserve confidence in the electoral process for generations to come.

Our democracy is worth the investment.

Teresa Horton is chair of the Johnson County Republicans.