Secretary Fontes Submits FY2027 Budget Request, Renews Focus on Election Security and Public Service Infrastructure
PHOENIX — On Tuesday, Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes submitted the Office’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget request to Governor Katie Hobbs. The proposal seeks targeted investments in election infrastructure, business services, and programs that protect Arizona’s most vulnerable communities.
“This budget is about securing the essential systems that serve our democracy, support our economy, and protect the people of Arizona,” said Secretary Fontes. “We’re facing new and evolving challenges, and we need modern tools to meet them head-on.”
Critical Infrastructure, Ongoing Threats
In 2017, the federal government designated U.S. elections as critical infrastructure, recognizing the need for enhanced security, intelligence-sharing, and investment at the state level. That designation remains in place — and the threats to election systems have only increased.
In June 2025, an Iranian-linked cyberattack on Arizona’s Candidate Portal replaced candidate headshots with an image of Ayatollah Khomeini. While no voter registration data was compromised, the incident revealed vulnerabilities in Arizona’s legacy election infrastructure and aimed to erode public trust.
“Our systems withstood the attack, but the message was clear: these threats are real and ongoing,” Fontes said. “We’ve done what we can with the tools we have — but we need sustainable support to modernize and defend these systems properly.”
This is now the fourth consecutive year the Secretary of State’s Office has requested dedicated election cybersecurity funding from the Legislature. The FY2027 proposal includes $9.4 million in one-time funding for infrastructure modernization (proposed for FY2026) and $3.77 million in ongoing operational support beginning in FY2027.
Proven Results, Unmet Needs
Despite limited resources, the Secretary of State’s Office has made measurable progress since 2023:
• Ran one of the most secure and transparent elections in Arizona history.
• Established the state’s first dedicated Election Cybersecurity Unit and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) role.
• Integrated Business Services into the Arizona Business One-Stop portal, improving speed and efficiency for entrepreneurs.
• Digitized more than 120,000 public records and reopened previously shuttered public service offices.
• Expanded the Address Confidentiality Program, now protecting more than 3,800 Arizonans at risk of domestic violence, stalking, or harassment.
• Launched the Arizona America250 Commission to plan for the nation’s 250th anniversary.
“We’ve demonstrated impact and accountability,” Fontes noted. “But stopgap measures are not enough. To maintain momentum and protect the integrity of our systems, we need long-term investment.”
FY2027 Budget Priorities
The FY2027 request includes three core areas of investment:
Securing Democracy Through Modern Infrastructure
• Replace outdated systems for election management, candidate portals, and election night reporting.
• Maintain operations of the statewide Cybersecurity Unit and CISO.
• Begin planning for the eventual replacement of AVID, the state’s aging voter registration system.
• Fund $9.4 million in one-time cybersecurity upgrades in FY26, and $3.77 million in ongoing cybersecurity operations starting in FY27.
Delivering Business Services at the Speed of Business
• Replace outdated IT systems to enable paperless, secure, and scalable services.
• Expand remote and in-person customer service operations to meet growing demand.
Protecting Vulnerable Communities and Public Records
• Establish permanent funding for the Address Confidentiality Program, which serves survivors of violence and abuse.
• Provide bridge funding for the State Library, Archives, and Public Records Division amid reductions in federal support.
A Responsible Investment in Arizona’s Future
“We’re committed to transparency, accountability, and service to the people of Arizona,” said Fontes. “This budget is not about politics — it’s about ensuring that our elections are secure, our businesses are supported, and our most vulnerable communities are protected.”
“We must treat election infrastructure with the same seriousness as we do roads, water, and public safety — because it is just as essential to a strong and functioning democracy.”