McMAKIN: Louisiana’s Elections Deserve Reliable, Secure Equipment

Editors Note: Dixon McMakin is a Louisiana State Representative Representing District 68.

Limited government does not mean neglecting government’s essential responsibilities. It means setting clear priorities, protecting taxpayer dollars, and doing the fundamentals well. Few responsibilities are more fundamental than ensuring our elections are secure, reliable, and worthy of the public’s confidence.

Louisiana’s voting machines have served our state for more than 35 years. That longevity speaks to the value we have gotten from this equipment, but no technology lasts forever. We should plan for its replacement before aging equipment becomes a crisis.

Waiting until voting machines fail is a poor way to manage public resources. It could force rushed purchases, disrupt election operations, and undermine confidence in the process. A responsible approach is to prepare now, make sound investments, and give election officials the tools they need to administer elections accurately.

That is why I am urging Congresswoman Julia Letlow and our congressional delegation to support $400 million for Election Security Grants through the Fiscal Year 2027 Financial Services and General Government appropriations process.

This national funding would help states like Louisiana replace aging voting systems and strengthen election cybersecurity. It would also help ensure Louisiana taxpayers do not shoulder the entire cost of modernizing equipment used to conduct local, state, and federal elections.

As a state representative, I take seriously our obligation to be careful stewards of public money. Any investment in election infrastructure should come with clear accountability, thoughtful purchasing decisions, and a focus on long-term reliability. We should demand equipment that serves voters well and provides lasting value.

Federal support would help Louisiana meet that responsibility. Our state must still do its part by planning carefully and ensuring that every dollar is spent wisely.

For voters, the expectation is straightforward: equipment should work, every legal vote should be counted accurately, and election results should be trustworthy. Meeting those expectations requires maintaining the infrastructure behind our elections.

Election security should be a shared priority. Regardless of party, every Louisiana voter deserves confidence that the system is dependable and their vote matters.

Congress has an opportunity to help states make these investments before equipment failures create greater costs and disruptionility of government.