On September 29th and 30th, just hours prior to the government shutdown, nearly 100 local election officials from across the U.S. descended on the Capitol building in D.C., holding over 130 meetings with members of Congress and urging them to do one thing: fund our elections.

Year after year, election administrators are asked to do more with less—all while the cost of quality election administration increases. Election departments, largely funded by state and local governments, are often left scrambling to make hard choices (adopt the latest cybersecurity measures or repair leaks in equipment storage facilities?); and while those in wealthy jurisdictions may be allotted up to $67 per voter, those in the poorest and most rural areas of our country are forced to get by on just $2 per voter. 

“In smaller towns like mine, election officials wear many hats,” said John Myers, Town Clerk of Buxton, Maine. “We’re proud of the work we do, but the resources simply haven’t kept pace with the responsibilities.”

Patchwork solutions like CTCL’s rural grants program can help, but the only truly equitable path forward is clear: robust and reliable public funding for election infrastructure. That’s why CTCL and our partners in the Election Infrastructure Initiative (EII) are calling on the federal government to provide just that. 

The Advocacy Day in D.C., sponsored by EII partner the Project for Election Infrastructure (PEI), empowered local election officials to speak directly to legislators and share their stories as experts in election administration. “It was powerful to be here in Washington alongside officials from every corner of the country,” said Tonya Wichman, Director of the Defiance County Board of Elections in Ohio. “Together, we’re sending a clear message that federal support is essential to keep elections strong in all of our communities.”

“I’ve never been involved in anything similar to this,” reflected Keith Ford, Deputy Town Clerk of Jamestown, RI. “Yes, I have written to politicians, [but] having face-to-face meetings was an experience.”

Encouraged by a largely positive reception from lawmakers, election administrators left Advocacy Day feeling energized and ready to tackle the final stretch toward Election Day.

Added Myers, “predictable federal support is essential so every community—no matter its size—can deliver secure and efficient elections that voters trust.”