Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration with oversight over federal elections, alongside 37 of his Senate colleagues called on President Biden to include significant funding for election grants in the upcoming Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 federal budget. These resources would help state and local governments maintain and improve election infrastructure, keep pace with emerging technology such as artificial intelligence, and enhance cybersecurity to combat new threats.
“With the 2024 elections now underway, state and local officials are already spending significant resources so that every eligible American can make their voices heard when they cast their ballots,” wrote Bennet and the senators. “This funding is critical for hardworking officials to prepare and plan effectively for their ongoing responsibilities on the frontlines of our democracy.”
“These resources are also important to hire and train new election officials and poll workers, as well as to protect the security of election officials who are facing ongoing threats and harassment for simply doing their jobs,” continued the senators. “One survey of local election officials last year found that nearly one in three said they have been abused, harassed, or threatened and one in five know someone who left their job over safety concerns.”
In addition to Bennet, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Angus King (I-Maine), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.).
The text of the letter is available HERE and below.
Dear Mr. President:
We write to urge you to prioritize funding to support our free and fair elections in your budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, including by providing the highest possible funding level for grants to be distributed to states by the Election Assistance Commission. With the 2024 elections now underway, state and local officials are already spending significant resources so that every eligible American can make their voices heard when they cast their ballots. This funding is critical for hardworking officials to prepare and plan effectively for their ongoing responsibilities on the frontlines of our democracy.
The continued successful administration of our elections requires a steady stream of resources to support this year-round work. This funding is needed to maintain and improve election infrastructure, keep pace with emerging technology like artificial intelligence, and enhance cybersecurity to combat new threats. Election security is integral to national security and it is critical that we invest meaningfully to ensure that they continue to run smoothly.
These resources are also important to hire and train new election officials and poll workers, as well as to protect the security of election officials who are facing ongoing threats and harassment for simply doing their jobs. One survey of local election officials last year found that nearly one in three said they have been abused, harassed, or threatened and one in five know someone who left their job over safety concerns. Last fall over a dozen letters were reportedly sent to election offices or government buildings in six states, some containing fentanyl and other unidentified substances, that not only threatened the health and safety of election officials but also caused some delays in ballot counting.
While we are also working to strengthen our democracy and are committed to advancing legislation to expand access to the ballot and improve the security of election officials and workers, we recognize that the critical work being done to administer our elections successfully is happening now, despite years of underinvestment. We urge you to include in your budget the funding that is needed to not only maintain the safe and secure administration of our elections, but also to address emerging threats and to invest in future elections.
Thank you for your attention to this critical issue.