CHICAGO, IL — The U.S. Senate proposed the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act today, allocating $75 million in federal election funding. The funding proposal comes just months ahead of the 2024 election and amidst increased scrutiny of election security nationwide.

Last year, Congress appropriated $55 million in HAVA grants — a necessary, but far from sufficient infusion of funds to meet the needs of local elections officials in all fifty states, who require regular, sufficient funding to run secure elections. For context, Los Angeles County alone spent $53 million administering the 2021 gubernatorial recall election.

“Our country is dependent on the local election officials who do all they can year after year to ensure American voters can participate in secure, smooth, and accurate elections. And year after year, these officials tell Congress what they need to do their jobs: sustained, adequate funding for elections infrastructure,” said Sam Oliker-Friedland, executive director of the Institute for Responsive Government. “While the Senate’s $75 million in proposed funding will provide some critical elections aid, it’s only a start. It simply does not match the true funding needed in elections offices around the country. It’s past time to adequately resource the defining, most vital feature of American democracy — our elections.”

The Election Infrastructure Initiative estimates that a sustained investment of $53 billion is necessary over the next decade to strengthen and secure our election infrastructure; and have called on lawmakers to approve $400 million in FY25 appropriations.

The Senate’s proposal of limited elections funding in the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act comes at the same time as efforts by some candidates and legislators to stoke fear and undermine confidence in American elections.

A recent study from the Center for Tech and Civic Life and Responsive Gov highlighted the numerous challenges facing local election officials — including high turnover amidst threats of violence and harassment, much of which has been fueled by the spread of politically-motivated election disinformation.