Viewpoint: Congress must protect our critical election infrastructure

Recently, the Federal Election Commission proposed changes to existing campaign finance rules to allow federal candidates to use campaign funds for security protections — from security personnel to surveillance equipment and cybersecurity services. In light of mounting threats against elected officials amid a hyperpartisan and rancorous political environment, this is by all means a prudent and appropriate effort to ensure continuity of government and the stability of our system. But another crucial group of public servants are also facing unprecedented challenges and equally require the support of Congress: the people who administer our elections and keep democracy running.

Indiana residents had the opportunity to participate in and observe our elections firsthand this month when they cast their ballots in the state primary. Our electoral system is a uniquely American model that the Department of Homeland Security in 2017 designated as “critical infrastructure” and in need of protection to guarantee our national security. While Congress is discovering more avenues of funding to protect their own security and safety, they are largely ignoring the growing threat to election workers, 80% of whom are women, spreading across the United States. When we discover data and information that informs us that a military base or aircraft carrier is a target, we proactively address that specific threat. We currently have intelligence that Russia and China will attack our election system, and there are dangerous individuals within our own borders who will continue to threaten election workers this year. Congress must address these risks now to protect democracy and keep our citizens safe.

Even as funds could soon be unlocked to protect themselves from increased threats to their personal safety, Congress has an important opportunity to work in a bipartisan way to defend American democracy and put their constituencies first. That means supporting our nation’s election officials and investing in our critical election infrastructure now before voters cast their ballots this fall.

Those working on the frontlines of our elections have been thrust into the spotlight since the 2020 election — and many have been the target of harassment and violent threats by grievously misinformed citizens who falsely believe that the election was illegitimate. These officials now live in a hostile environment where they can be harangued at their children’s little league baseball games, chased out of their local grocery store, and even forced to change their commute to work for safety concerns. This is not how the people who keep our democracy running deserve to be treated, and Congress should not ignore these essential workers who make democracy to function and allow these congressional candidates to serve in office in the first place.

Congress must urgently allocate federal funds to protect the security of American elections and the workers who serve as its foundation.

Congress recently passed a major funding bill to keep the federal government open for the remainder of the current fiscal year, but in this legislation they slashed critical resources for state and local election offices at a time when support from lawmakers is vital to ensure our elections remain safe and secure. During each of the last two fiscal years, Congress appropriated just $75 million to protect our bipartisan workers and prevent cyberattacks, a fraction of what election officials and outside experts have called for. This year, Congress reduced funding to a paltry $55 million.

Every little bit counts, and we should be grateful that there are tens of thousands of patriotic citizens who have dedicated their careers to keeping our elections free and fair. We can count on them to get the job done again this year. But election officials need necessary support from Congress to protect our democratic processes from vicious cyberattacks by foreign adversaries like China and Russia, a serious and growing threat that will likely become more acute in the months leading up to the 2024 elections. They also need funding to modernize their equipment, assist rural communities with upgrades, and protect their workers from violence.

Defending our elections and preventing violence against the people who administer them is not a partisan issue. It is crucial to show the world that the oldest and proudest democracy is also the most trusted and transparent. The best way Congress can ensure we count every vote and enable the peaceful transfer of power is to provide the necessary resources for those on the frontlines doing the work of democracy.

Former Reps. Barbara Comstock (R-VA) and Tim Roemer (D-IN) are co-chairs of Issue One’s National Council on Election Integrity.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Congress must allocate funds to protect security of U.S. elections.