ICYMI: Elections Grant Program Shows How Stable, Sufficient Election Funding Helps Deliver Secure, Accessible Elections

CHICAGO — A new case study from the Institute for Responsive Government highlights how sufficient funding allows local election offices to more successfully administer secure and efficient elections. The case study includes key findings from the Institute for Responsive Government’s nonpartisan 2024 ‘A More Responsive Government Grants Program,’ which delivered nearly $7 million in grants to 240 local election offices supporting more than 6 million eligible voters. 

Election offices across six states (Colorado, Delaware, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, and Nevada) and the District of Columbia were eligible to apply for grants. Those states and D.C. all have adopted policies in recent years which strengthen election security and accessibility in the long-run; but also come with an upfront investment. 

“These states are leading the way toward a stronger democracy by implementing innovative policies which boost election security and accessibility,” said Sam Oliker-Friedland, Chief Executive Officer of the Institute for Responsive Government. “Our grant program was an opportunity for us to support election officials charged with implementing these best-in-class policies, and to hopefully demonstrate to other states the value of adopting similar pro-voter measures.”

Local officials used the grants to close critical elections gaps, including:

• Purchasing updated equipment and software to improve accuracy and reliability;
• Expanding accessibility for voters with disabilities;
• Improving cybersecurity and physical security;
• Increasing poll-worker training and compensation;
• Addressing longstanding shortages of basic supplies and outdated voting infrastructure.

“Election officials across the country are the heroes of our democracy, and they’re operating in an increasingly complex environment,” added Oliker-Friedland. “We hope some of the testimonials in our report illustrate why substantial and longer-term investments are needed.”

Two-thirds of election offices reported that the grants would have a “massive impact” on their ability to administer elections effectively – further evidence that piecemeal or one-time funding cannot substitute for consistent investment in election infrastructure.

The case study also outlines the structural funding challenges facing local election offices. Most jurisdictions rely heavily on state and local budgets that must stretch across competing priorities, leaving election operations chronically under-resourced. This can force election administrators to delay upgrades, reduce staffing, and rely on temporary funding to meet core responsibilities.

The full case study is available here.

To speak with Institute for Responsive Government experts, please contact dan@responsivegov.org. 

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The Institute for Responsive Government is a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to ensuring state and federal governments work effectively for the very people they serve. The Institute for Responsive Government provides data, research, and expertise to elected officials in order to find practical policy solutions that make government systems more efficient, accessible, and responsive.