The chairman of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) this week urged the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government for dependable Federal funding to ensure election security ahead of the 2022 election.
“A government-wide approach to funding elections and election security is needed,” Benjamin Hovland, chairman of the EAC, told the committee during a Feb. 16 hearing. “If the 2020 election has taught us anything, it’s that our democracy is precious. We must invest in it to make it stronger, and we must constantly seek to improve it.”
Although Hovland said the 2020 election was “the best-administered election” he’s seen in his career, he also stressed that there is still “much work to be done” and requested a “proper level of investment to ensure lasting success.”
“The fact those dedicated election officials were able to achieve this feat amid a global pandemic is even more remarkable. However, now is not the time to proclaim ‘mission accomplished,’” said subcommittee Chair Mike Quigley, D-Ill.
“Even though the 2020 election was secure, we know there was malicious activity from foreign adversaries leading up to election day. The threats to our democracy are constant and ever-evolving. Our enemies will not be taking a break so neither can we,” Rep. Quigley added.
Rep. Quigley said the subcommittee hopes to help lead efforts in Congress to address these election security issues and “ensure that EAC has the necessary resources to provide vital support to states and the voting public.”
