Doug McLinko: Congress must follow Trump in the fight to secure our democracy
It is no secret that concerns over election security are at an all-time high. From waning confidence to outdated voting technology, it is clear that immediate action is needed to strengthen our election infrastructure.
As we all know, Pennsylvania has played a pivotal role in recent national elections. The margin of victory in the past three presidential contests has been less than 1.8 percent. In such a closely divided state, every vote matters. To ensure our elections remain transparent, accurate, and trustworthy, Congress must prioritize election security and allocate the federal resources necessary to modernize our systems.
Running elections isn’t cheap. From upgrading aging voting machines to securing polling sites and training seasonal staff, the costs can add up quickly. Tight budgets and limited resources has led to increased stress on local officials, and unfortunately, many election workers are now quitting due to harassment, threats, and burnout. Without proper support and protection, it’s becoming harder to recruit and retain the people who help make our elections run smoothly and safely.
The burden of administering elections often falls on under-resourced local offices already stretched thin. These election workers expected to do more with less each cycle, navigating growing security demands and higher voter expectations without the funding to match. If we want our elections to remain secure and worthy of public confidence, we have to start treating election administration like the essential infrastructure it is.
Fortunately, President Trump has taken the initiative by signing an executive order to safeguard the integrity of American elections. Specifically, his executive order highlights the importance of physical ballots, guaranteeing a more efficient and accurate way to count votes. He has outlined a bold but necessary vision for the future of American elections, but without the proper investment, these reforms will never see the light of day, and the Administration’s agenda to modernize and safeguard our democratic process will not be fulfilled.
While the President’s executive order is a step in the right direction, local governments still lack the financial support to implement these measures effectively. They need assistance from Congress to combat these shortcomings and maximize election security. We are grateful that Congress has included $15 million for election infrastructure in the continuing resolution that passed this spring. However, we must take it a step further and utilize our resources for this priority that directly impacts every American citizen.
President Trump has a strong legacy of prioritizing funding for safe and secure elections, demonstrated by the approximately $400 million appropriated to voting infrastructure grants across FYs 2018 and 2020. To achieve the bold but necessary vision outlined by the current administration, Congress must work to restore funding to previous levels, building on the $15 million from earlier this spring.
This is a chance to turn bold ideas into lasting infrastructure, ones that future generations can rely on. Americans have expressed that election security is a priority, and President Trump has emphasized the importance of safeguarding elections against fraud and foreign interference. Now, Congress needs to do its part and provide adequate funding. As we move forward, it is crucial to find solutions that safeguard the security of elections, fostering trust and confidence in our electoral process.
Doug McLinko is a Republican County Commissioner in Bradford County, Pennsylvania.
