With less than 90 days until the midterm election, state election leaders voiced frustration over reduced federal support and threats of prosecution, raising concerns about election security and federal-state cooperation.
State election officials across the country are expressing growing concern about the federal government's approach to election security as the 2026 midterm election approaches. During a recent call hosted by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), tensions flared between state leaders and Trump administration officials over what many described as a lack of meaningful support and ongoing threats to local election administrators.
The call, which took place Monday, brought together secretaries of state and other election leaders from across the U.S. to discuss preparations for the upcoming election. According to participants, the session quickly became contentious, with Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes directly challenging CISA's acting leadership and questioning the administration's commitment to supporting state-run elections.
Reduced Federal Support Raises Alarm
In previous years, CISA played a central role in helping states defend against cyber threats, providing classified briefings, technical assistance, and risk assessments for voting systems. However, since Donald Trump returned to the White House, the agency has scaled back its involvement, reduced staff, and has not had a permanent director. The administration has also launched investigations into former CISA leaders and threatened to prosecute election officials who do not comply with new federal directives.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has warned that states refusing to implement the administration's election overhaul proposals could lose federal funding. Several Democratic-led states have responded by suing the Department of Homeland Security, alleging that the federal government is withholding Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds to pressure states into adopting disputed changes.
State Leaders Voice Frustration
During the call, participants said CISA officials offered only a generic overview of potential threats, with little concrete information or assurances of federal assistance for the 2026 election, now less than three months away. Instead, the agency's leadership appeared to focus on preparations for the 2028 presidential election, leaving state officials concerned about immediate vulnerabilities.
Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, a Democrat, was especially outspoken, telling CISA officials he did not trust them and criticizing the administration for threatening to criminalize the work of state election administrators. Fontes later told Votebeat that the federal government "works against us, not with us," and said CISA had "abandoned their duties and threatened prosecution."
Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon echoed these concerns, stating that states have been forced to fill the gaps left by reduced federal support. "It's pretty clear states are almost entirely on their own this election cycle and cannot rely on the federal government for election assistance," Simon said.
Some See Opportunity for Rebuilding Trust
Not all participants viewed the call negatively. Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs described the meeting as a "positive step" toward rebuilding relationships between CISA and state election officials, but emphasized that sustained commitment is needed. Hobbs noted that the administration has systematically dismantled many federal election security resources over the past two years, and said meaningful support is needed as the November election nears.
With the election less than 90 days away, state officials are seeking clear guidance and resources to address cyber threats and ensure the integrity of the voting process. The lack of federal engagement has left many states relying on their own resources and expertise to prepare for potential challenges.
Context: Federal-State Tensions Over Security
The current dispute reflects broader tensions between state and federal authorities over control of election administration. The Trump administration's approach has included threats of prosecution, funding cuts, and investigations into former officials, leading to lawsuits and public criticism from state leaders. These developments follow a pattern seen in other areas of federal oversight, such as recent concerns about AI security incidents and their impact on local governments, as reported in a previous Farmington Voice article.
As the November election approaches, state election officials continue to call for clear, consistent support from federal agencies. The outcome of these disputes may shape how elections are secured and administered in the years ahead.
