Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor,

As we welcome the second Trump era in the White House, it's crucial to reflect on the importance of election integrity. President Trump's previous administration demonstrated a strong commitment to election security by allocating $400 million in election infrastructure grants in fiscal years 2018 and 2020, bolstering the security and reliability of our electoral process.

But the fight for our democratic process is never over. With cyberattacks, phishing attempts, and foreign nations like China still targeting our election systems, we must remain vigilant. Congress should step up and provide the resources needed to keep every voter’s voice protected. This includes updated voting machines, robust cybersecurity measures, and well-trained poll workers—all essential to maintaining secure and resilient elections.

The Senate Appropriations Committee has already advanced $75 million in election security funding as part of this year’s appropriations package. This is an important reversal from the FY 2024 spending package, where Congress appropriated just $55 million in election security grants. While this is a promising start, it is crucial that this funding is preserved as appropriations discussions resume in the 119th Congress and ultimately included in the final FY 2025 package.

Here in Oklahoma, we have already set a gold standard of conducting elections with its auditable and verifiable paper-ballot voting system, ensuring accurate ballot tabulation and storage. With increased federal funding, we can strengthen our infrastructure even further, fortifying online tools for voter registration and absentee ballot tracking against cyber threats. A strong federal investment will keep states like Oklahoma ahead of evolving challenges and protect the integrity of our democratic process.

We’re fortunate to have Rep. Tom Cole leading as chair of the House Appropriations Committee. His leadership gives us a powerful opportunity to support increased funding for elections and equip officials nationwide with the tools needed to help address emerging challenges. By building on the progress made during President Trump’s previous administration, Rep. Cole can help ensure our elections are secure for generations to come.

Sincerely,

Amy Shouse