Arizona sounds alarm as federal cuts leave election security gaps – 12news.com KPNX

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PHOENIX — Arizona officials are raising alarms after the federal government cut key election cybersecurity programs once used to track threats across the country.
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) previously funded the Center for Internet Security, which ran two programs monitoring election-related threats. Those programs tracked incidents like the coordinated bomb threats sent to election offices nationwide—including the Navajo Nation—on Election Day last year. Both programs have now been shut down.
Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes said he’s still looking for someone to tell him what’s going on. 
CISA, Fontes said, is part of a multi-agency coordination that secures the state’s elections, both before and during elections. 
“CISA was an important and distinct part of that puzzle, and now that critical piece is missing. That’s why I’m sounding the alarm,” Fontes said.
Fontes sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security and President Donald Trump, criticizing the cuts and asking for clarification and assistance. 
Beyond tracking threats, Fontes said CISA also provided direct cybersecurity support, both online and in the field. Without that federal assistance, his office has had to step in and do the job.
“My office has had to go out to about eight counties to do that same work, but at incredible expense, and we just don’t have the budget for this sort of thing,” he said
Fontes said that before the cuts, he had a direct CISA liaison and even the agency director’s phone number. Now, Fontes wrote, he’s had “radio silence” from CISA. 
A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson confirmed those cuts to 12News in a statement: 
“As the Administration has made clear, CISA will refocus on its mission starting with election security. CISA has completed an initial review of its election security mission with a particular focus on work related to mis-, dis-, and malinformation in accordance with Executive Order 14149, Restoring Freedom of Speech and Ending Federal Censorship. The agency is taking appropriate actions regarding employees found to have participated in these activities. This is a critical part of a larger assessment of the election security work that the agency is undertaking to review all election security-related funding, products, activities, and personnel. CISA has strategically paused all election security activities pending the results of this review.”
“CISA has terminated federally funded activities supporting the Election Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EI-ISAC). The agency has determined that federally funded work organized under the EI-ISAC no longer effectuates Department priorities. The termination does not prohibit the Center for Internet Security from focusing on its own non-federally funded election security-related efforts, including managing the EI-ISAC.”
A spokesperson for Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs sent a statement to 12News condemning the cuts. 
“As the State’s former chief elections officer, Governor Hobbs strongly opposes broad cuts that jeopardize critical cybersecurity programs and resources essential for countering foreign election threats. Protecting our elections and ensuring they remain secure and fair for all voters is non-negotiable. The Governor urgently calls on the federal government to reconsider funding cuts to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Identifying inefficiencies must be done thoughtfully, not recklessly or at the expense of our democracy.”
A spokesman for Attorney General Kris Mayes also voiced concerns, saying her office is taking action.
“AG Mayes is deeply concerned about the mass firings and administrative leave buyouts across the federal government, including those related to cybersecurity. It is why she has been leading the charge in Arizona to stop the reckless and chaotic actions of the Trump administration. Last week, AG Mayes joined another multi-state lawsuit specifically related to mass firings of federal workers.”
While DHS said the Center for Internet Security could continue its election security work without federal funding, Arizona officials say the loss of support creates more uncertainty heading into the 2026 election.
“This creates more complication and a degree of disruption in those negotiations,” Ramachandran said. “But it doesn’t change the fact that those negotiations have to happen.”
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