Federal Cybersecurity Agency Faces Challenges Ahead of 2026 Elections

Mon Nov 24 2025 03:55:41 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is experiencing significant staffing and funding cuts, leading to concerns among election officials about its capability to support upcoming elections.

Since its establishment in 2018, CISA has provided critical support to state and local election officials regarding cybersecurity threats and election security measures. Recently, staffing reductions and budget cuts have raised alarm among officials, who fear CISA's diminished role could leave them vulnerable in the run-up to the 2026 midterms. With the agency's future capabilities uncertain, officials are seeking alternatives to maintain election security.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Since its creation in 2018, the federal government’s cybersecurity agency has helped warn state and local election officials about potential threats from foreign governments, showed officials how to protect polling places from attacks, and gamed out how to respond to unexpected events like bomb threats and disinformation campaigns.

However, the agency was largely absent from elections in various states this month, suggesting a concerning trend ahead of the 2026 midterms. Officials point to staffing reductions and budget cuts during the Trump administration as key factors affecting the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)'s ability to assist.

“We do not have a sense of whether we can rely on CISA for these services as we approach a big election year in 2026,” said Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon.

The agency has faced significant transitions and transformations, with up to 1,000 employees losing their jobs over the years and funding for critical cybersecurity initiatives cut by $10 million earlier this year.

Gentler updates revealed that CISA has reduced its involvement in providing security for upcoming elections, leaving many states scrambling to fill the gaps.

State election officials in California and Pennsylvania reported working more with local partners and experienced significant cuts in federal cybersecurity assistance. With potential threats looming, election officials are on edge, needing clarity about what support CISA can offer in the future.

“We are starting to assume that some of those services are not going to be available to us, and we are looking elsewhere to fill that void,” Simon added, highlighting the need for alternatives in coordination with election security.