Statement of Support: Strengthening Democracy Through Federal Election Funding

April 11, 2025 – The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law has proudly joined a coalition of over 50 organizations in signing a national letter urging Congress to allocate $825 million in federal funding to support state and local election administration in Fiscal Year 2026.

Why This Matters

Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of American democracy—but today, that cornerstone is under threat. Election administrators across the country face growing challenges: outdated infrastructure, cyber threats, election worker harassment, rampant disinformation, and mounting responsibilities under new laws that often come without adequate funding.

This coalition letter calls on Congress to meet this moment by restoring critical funding through the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) Election Security Grants, matching the federal investment made during the most robust year of election funding in 2020. It also urges that two-thirds of that funding be sent directly to local jurisdictions, where elections are actually run and where needs are most urgent.

What’s at Stake

• Voting Access: Communities of color and low-income jurisdictions often face polling place closures and reduced outreach due to lack of resources.
• Election Worker Safety: A growing number of election officials face harassment and threats, contributing to staff attrition.
• National Security: As federal election security programs are rolled back, cash-strapped jurisdictions are left exposed to cyberattacks and misinformation campaigns.
• Equity: Without stable public funding, wealthier areas receive more robust election infrastructure than under-resourced communities—deepening systemic inequities in the voting process.

The Lawyers’ Committee is deeply committed to protecting the right to vote, especially for historically marginalized communities. We believe that every eligible voter should be able to cast a ballot that counts—and that election workers should be supported and protected in doing their jobs.

We join our coalition partners in urging Congress to act now. Democracy demands it.