U.S. Agency Halts Election Security Support for States, Including Arizona

A recent communiqué from the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) indicates a significant shift in the federal government’s approach to election security. As disclosed in a March 3 email, CISA has suspended funding for the Election Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EI-ISAC), a critical tool for alerting state officials about election security threats.

The email, obtained by Votebeat, outlines how the Trump administration’s policies have led to halted federal support for vital election security initiatives. Erin Buechel Wieczorek, CISA’s acting chief external affairs officer, stated that the EI-ISAC is no longer aligned with Department priorities. This change marks a departure from established federal-state partnerships that had been instrumental in safeguarding elections.

Election officials, referencing the urgency of the situation, noted that the EI-ISAC was created in response to concerns about Russian interference in the 2016 election. However, they express deep concern about the ramifications of losing this resource. CISA’s broader election security operations are also paused as the agency reassesses its funding and personnel structure.

Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes raised alarm over the abrupt cessation of communication from CISA. In a March 7 letter to U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, he emphasized the seriousness of the situation for state elections. “What was until just last month a longstanding partnership is now complete radio silence from CISA staff except one designee,” Fontes noted.

While local election officials remain committed to election security, they express doubts about the future role of CISA. Despite being invited to participate in local election security tours, CISA has missed several engagements across Arizona counties. The agency’s withdrawal from collaboration raises questions about the ongoing support states can count on during critical election processes.

Concerns are compounded by Trump’s January 20 executive order limiting CISA’s ability to monitor social media for misinformation about elections. This move has generated uncertainty around the oversight of election-related misinformation and the overall security landscape. CISA’s initial review of this issue suggests that actions are being taken against employees associated with these monitoring activities.

Despite these challenges, Noem assured NASS officials that some election-related assessments and training resources would still be available. State and local officials express hope that CISA will continue offering support services, particularly in areas that lack the resources to establish their own security measures. As federal resources diminish, the role of state and local election administrations in ensuring election integrity becomes increasingly crucial.

Votebeat reporter Carter Walker contributed to this report.