Election Security Agency Faces Uncertain Future

Sun Nov 23 2025 17:33:10 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As the 2026 elections loom, concerns grow over the declining support from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) due to shifts in administration focus, budget cuts, and staffing reductions. State officials scramble for alternatives in safeguarding the electoral process.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), established in 2018 to protect election infrastructure, appears to be diminishing its role as the 2026 midterms approach. With state officials expressing concern over limited federal support and ongoing budget cuts, many election offices are now looking for alternative solutions to ensure electoral security.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Since its inception in 2018, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has played a crucial role in warning local election officials about threats and protecting polling places. However, as the 2026 midterms approach, the agency's role appears to be shrinking.

The transition in priorities under the Trump administration, coupled with staffing cuts and budget reductions, has left election officials concerned about reliance on CISA moving forward. Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon remarked, We do not have a sense of whether we can rely on CISA for these services as we approach a big election year in 2026.\

CISA, which was originally tasked with safeguarding critical infrastructure, has lost approximately 1,000 employees and funding has been slashed by $10 million for crucial initiatives. This leaves state officials scrambling to seek alternatives for election support as CISA has not actively participated in recent elections.

California officials noted that they received minimal assistance during the Nov. 4 special election, underscoring the agency's significant reduction in capacity. The California Secretary of State's office stated that the lack of federal partnership has forced election officials to rely more on state and local collaborations.

As the elections approach, state officials are increasingly worried about whether critical services such as equipment testing and security coordination will be available from CISA. They are exploring outside options and preparing for a future where they may need to independently secure their electoral processes.