Strengthening Kansas elections: a call for continued federal support and investment | Opinion
Growing up, I cherished the excitement of Election Day, watching my parents head to the polls with determination to make their voices heard. That palpable sense of civic duty fostered a belief that every vote mattered and that democracy is not just a privilege but a fundamental responsibility. As I delved deeper into the electoral process, I came to appreciate the dedicated individuals working tirelessly behind each ballot to uphold the integrity of our elections.
This commitment to democracy resonates in the words of Harvey County Clerk and Election Officer Rick Piepho, who recently emphasized the crucial role of election officials in ensuring a secure and trustworthy voting system in The Wichita Eagle. My own voting experiences have instilled in me a profound appreciation for the foundations of our democracy — foundations that must be protected and strengthened for future generations.
To preserve the integrity of our voting system, Congress must prioritize investing in election workers and security grants for local election offices, equipping them with the necessary tools to counter potential threats from hostile nations such as Russia and Iran.
In recent years, federal appropriations for election infrastructure have seen significant fluctuations. After allocating roughly $400 million in earlier fiscal year packages — $380 million in FY 2018 and $425 million in FY 2020 — funding plummeted to just $55 million in fiscal year 2024. The House budget for fiscal year 2025 includes no funding.
Congress’ decision actively puts our election system in danger. If funding for our elections continues to dwindle, I worry that we won’t have the supplies and updated technology to administer safe and secure elections, considering that online attacks are always evolving, and these foreign adversaries have no signs of stopping. And while our hardworking election administrators always deliver successful and secure elections, there’s only so much they can do with limited resources.
In August, the Senate Appropriation Committee — with the help of our Sen. Jerry Moran — included $75 million for election infrastructure grants in the 2025 Financial Services and General Government appropriations bill. This is an incredibly meaningful step in the right direction to set our infrastructure investments back on the right track, and as negotiations continue moving forward, those funds must be protected.
Maintaining this $75 million in the 2025 budget would signal a significant move toward reinforcing our democratic institutions. This investment would enable the deployment of updated technology, ensuring our election systems remain resilient against emerging technological threats and that the basic needs of election officials across Kansas and the nation are met. Ultimately, I hope the federal government will return to the funding levels established under the Trump administration, committing to a $400 million investment in election infrastructure, but we must start somewhere.
We cannot stand by and watch what will happen to our nation if we fail to deliver adequate funding. As a nation, we have a duty to unite and protect the heart of democracy.