You look ahead to the midterms and future elections, and you see much to worry about. The election infrastructure is under constant attack. Sure, even Trump-appointed judges keep tossing many of his challenges. But leaders in the “stop the steal” movement are now being appointed in federal positions to oversee the election. Most election infrastructure is local and state-based — and that’s where you worry the most.
You connect with different efforts to safeguard the election. You read Protect Our Election’s report, which asked election officials what they worried about and needed. They largely noted a lack of funding for their work — some states have even outlawed private funding while simultaneously reducing public funding. Most feel largely respected, but many report “inappropriate partisan pressure.” You read about Washoe County, Nevada where three election directors resigned because of harassment.
You join with people who are doing local work and realize a practical way you can help: finding available grants. You don’t know a ton, but apparently there are a bevy of local, state, federal, private, and other grants that election infrastructure can obtain. Nobody knows where they all go. The grants can help with digital security, voter education, training in cybersecurity, and hardening the election process. This feels like a way you can help out. You get your first $500 grant, and your election workers are overjoyed.
