Cutting the election-security safety net before the midterms
The federal cyber agency ended funding for the centers that gave local election offices threat warnings and free defenses.
In March 2025 the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency cut $10 million a year it gave the Center for Internet Security to run two information-sharing centers: one for all state and local governments and one dedicated to elections. The election center had provided threat intelligence and free tools, such as network sensors, to local election offices. Federal support for the broader center ended in September 2025, and both now charge fees; the Center for Democracy and Technology expects many members to drop out.
On Sept. 3, 2026, the top Democrats on the House and Senate election committees asked the administration to restore the funding before the Nov. 3 midterms. CISA has been a target since 2020, when Trump fired its director, Chris Krebs, after the agency rebutted false claims of voter fraud.
The receipts
Original reporting. Credit belongs to these outlets and authors; read the full stories at the source.
The Record by Recorded Future News byline on original
CISA cuts $10 million annually from ISAC funding for statesCenter for Democracy and Technology byline on original
Countdown to the midterms: mapping the rapid evolution of election securityOffice of Sen. Alex Padilla byline on original
Padilla, Morelle demand DHS restore cybersecurity fundingAssociated Press (as shared in our notes) byline on original
Election security cuts at CISANPR byline on original
CISA director Chris Krebs fired after trying to correct voter fraud disinformation