Justin S. Green Commissioner District 1 | County Of Santa Fe
Justin S. Green Commissioner District 1 | County Of Santa Fe
In Washington, D.C., Santa Fe County Clerk Katharine Clark is advocating for the restoration of federal election security support following recent budget cuts. Clark successfully pushed for a resolution by the National Association of Counties (NACo) Board of Directors, urging Congress and the Administration to reinstate funding for essential programs like the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC).
The federal budget reductions have posed significant challenges for local election officials. The layoffs of over 130 CISA employees have disrupted cybersecurity functions, leaving local offices without necessary support. Additionally, CISA has paused its election security operations, creating uncertainty nationwide. The Department of Justice has also disbanded a task force focused on foreign election interference.
Clerk Clark stressed the importance of restoring these programs: “Local election officials are committed to ensuring elections remain free, fair, and secure. However, recent federal cuts have made this work more challenging. Election security is not optional. Congress must act quickly to reinstate funding for CISA, EAC, and DOJ programs so that we can continue protecting our democracy.”
The NACo resolution led by Clark recommends several actions:
- Fully fund CISA and EAC to provide essential resources, training, and technical support.
- Ensure nonpartisan federal assistance remains voluntary and free from unnecessary regulatory burdens.
- Reinstate DOJ programs to investigate election-related crimes and enforce security laws.
- Rebuild collaboration between federal agencies and local officials to enhance election security.
For further details, visit SantaFe.vote or contact Celeste Garcia at the Santa Fe County Clerk’s Office.
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