This is a guest opinion column

A properly functioning election system is central to Alabama’s and America’s democratic process. As a member of the Alabama House of Representatives and a tireless advocate for families and businesses across our state, I am compelled to address a pressing issue that affects all Alabamians: inadequate federal funding for our nation’s election infrastructure.

You may have seen headlines about the colossal appropriations package that was recently passed in Washington, DC, to fund the government through fiscal year 2024. What has not been as widely reported, however, is that despite spending billions on a host of questionable items, the measure shortchanges investment in election infrastructure across the U.S. Not long ago, annual federal funding for these upgrades, which include modernizing cyber defenses and computer operating systems, averaged $400 million. Fast forward to 2024 and that number has been slashed to $55 million.

Many election officials lack access to essential tools and capabilities due to insufficient funding. Necessities such as internet access, office supplies, and even sufficient staff go unmet, jeopardizing the smooth operation of our electoral process. A significant portion of election offices across the country face significant challenges in meeting essential infrastructure needs, hindering their ability to serve their communities effectively.

Congress needs to take this warning to heart and return funding levels to the $400 million that was enacted in recent years to strengthen our election infrastructure. This funding would provide crucial support to election offices, enabling them to acquire essential equipment and conduct necessary training to ensure our elections remain safe and secure.

The Department of Homeland Security designated election infrastructure as critical infrastructure in 2017, and federal cyber defense officials are constantly working with state and local election offices to beat back attempted cyber intrusions from America’s adversaries. Without the proper support from Congress to build up these cyber defenses, it only makes these efforts that much harder.

Funding for election infrastructure is not a partisan issue. It receives widespread bipartisan support among voters, with an overwhelming majority of registered voters recognizing the importance of investing in election security and infrastructure. This shared understanding emphasizes the need for Congress to act swiftly and decisively on this issue, uniting us in our commitment to safeguarding our democracy.

In an era marked by heightened cybersecurity threats and foreign interference, ensuring the integrity of our elections is more critical than ever. By investing in modern, secure infrastructure and providing adequate resources to election offices, we can fortify our election system against external threats from countries like China and Iran and safeguard the sanctity of our electoral process.

Alabamians rightly expect that when they go to cast their vote on Election Day, they can do so safely and without worrying that the integrity of our voting system has been diminished by bad actors abroad. By securing $400 million for election infrastructure in fiscal year 2025, Congress can strengthen the foundation of our electoral system, enhance voter confidence, and uphold the principles of democracy for generations to come.

Steve Hurst represents Alabama’s 35th District in the Alabama House of Representatives.