Why It Matters

Project for Election Infrastructure filed a new lobbying registration with Audax Strategies LLC on Sept. 25, focused on Government Issues. The registration follows the termination of an earlier Audax engagement representing Project for Election Infrastructure through Meltsner Strategies.

Meltsner Strategies LLC also terminated its direct engagement on Sept. 2, while BGR Government Affairs LLC terminated its representation of Meltsner Strategies on behalf of Project for Election Infrastructure and registered to represent Alignment Government Strategies on behalf of Project for Election Infrastructure in September.

The organization's lobbying has centered on funding for election security grants in appropriations bills and alternative funding mechanisms for election infrastructure. Two additional firms also came on board: Alignment Government Strategies registered in September, and First Amendment Partners LLC registered that month to represent Alignment Government Strategies on behalf of Project for Election Infrastructure.

By the Numbers

The Sept. 25 filing covers Government Issues. It reports no lobbying income, lists no legislation, and leaves the specific issues section blank.

Audax Strategies previously represented Melstner Strategies on behalf of Project for Election Infrastructure beginning in the first quarter of 2025, with that engagement terminated effective Aug. 31. The new registration therefore represents a continuation of Audax's work connected to Project for Election Infrastructure under a new registration rather than the firm's first engagement involving the project.

The Audax Strategies team consists of two lobbyists: Aly Beley, partner and co-owner, and Michelle Altman, partner.

Broader Context

Federal election security grant funding has fluctuated substantially in recent years. Congress appropriated $380 million for Help America Vote Act Election Security Grants in fiscal 2018 and $425 million in 2020, followed by no funding in 2021. Appropriations fell to $75 million in both 2022 and 2023, $55 million in 2024, and $15 million in 2025 before rising to $45 million in the current fiscal year.

The Election Assistance Commission administers the grants, which states and territories can use to improve federal election administration, including upgrading election technology, addressing cybersecurity vulnerabilities, implementing post-election audits, and making other election security improvements. The commission reported that Congress has appropriated more than $1 billion for Election Security Grants since 2018.

Between The Lines

The organization has previously lobbied on H.R. 5166, the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, and H.R. 8495, targeting election security grant provisions and alternative funding mechanisms for election infrastructure.

The House Administration Subcommittee on Elections held a hearing titled "Examining Best Practices for Strengthening Election Security" on May 20, in which Project for Election Infrastructure was mentioned in witness testimony.

The Bottom Line

The Audax Strategies registration is one of several simultaneous firm changes in September, reflecting an active reconfiguration of the organization's lobbying team.

Rather than ending its relationship with Audax, Project for Election Infrastructure re-registered with the firm after the earlier engagement ended. At the same time, additional registrations involving Alignment Government Strategies, BGR Government Affairs and First Amendment Partners expanded the network of firms lobbying on election infrastructure and federal funding issues.

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