Washington State counties join multi-state information sharing analysis center as federal government reduces support for election integrity

On September 9, 2025, Washington's Secretary of State announced that all 39 counties will receive funding to join the Multi-State Information Sharing & Analysis Center (MS-ISAC). This move is crucial as federal funding cuts have severely impacted local election security resources, particularly for rural and cyber-underserved counties. The MS-ISAC provides essential services, including cyber threat intelligence and incident response support, which are vital for protecting election infrastructure. Secretary Steve Hobbs stated, “Protecting election security at the local level... is one of our top priorities.

” The federal government has reduced support for local election security, prompting state officials to take proactive measures. Membership in the MS-ISAC will help mitigate the loss of federal resources, especially for 15 counties identified as cyber-underserved. Furthermore, the Office of the Secretary of State plans to replace outdated Albert sensors with upgraded devices to enhance cybersecurity measures. These sensors are crucial for real-time notifications of potential cyber threats, ensuring timely responses to malicious activities.