The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for July 16, 2025
The Brennan Center for Justice released its annual survey of local election officials. It found continued concerns for threats, intimidation and violence against poll workers, and the loss of election security funding and staff now that the Trump administration has cut federal election security grants.
The survey of over 800 municipal election officials found 60% were very or somewhat concerned about federal cuts to election security services. We reported in March on DOGE cuts of 300 cybersecurity experts from CISA, the Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency, and the suspension of grant funding to states for hardening systems to fight increasing cyber attacks from Russia, China and Iran.
Of the surveyed officials, 62% were concerned by the loss of CISA’s direct technical support, and 80% said the federal government should be providing the same or more funding, not less.
One third of local election officials are very concerned about political leaders interfering with the work of poll workers, up 4% from a similar question in 2023. An additional one quarter are somewhat worried about interference.
Officials overwhelmingly, 81%, are concerned about false election information spread on social media, which contributes to 38% of local election officials saying they have been harassed, abused or threatened – for just doing their job.
We have links to the full Brennan Center survey at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Brennan Center for Justice – Key Findings – Local Election Officials Survey — July 2025
American Democracy Minute – (2023) Brennan Center Survey Shows Election Workers Concerned for Threats, Funding & Political Interference in Future Elections
American Democracy Minute – CISA Pauses All Election Security Programs for Full Review. Hint: It’s Not About Election Integrity, It’s Reprisal for Telling the Truth.
American Democracy Minute – DOGE Cuts 300 Experts From CISA’s Election Security Team and U.S. Agency Cybersecurity; Funding for State Cybersecurity Also Suspended
InfoSecurity Magazine – Trump Administration Shakes Up CISA with Staff and Funding Cuts
Groups Taking Action:
Protect Democracy, IssueOne, Election Official Legal Defense Network
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State
Please follow us on Facebook and Bluesky Social, and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!
Are you a radio station? Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX
#News #Democracy #DemocracyNews #ProtectElections #ProtectPollWorkers #ElectionOfficials