FEMA adds election security requirements to homeland security grants, including mandates for paper ballots and voter citizenship verification

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced new requirements for its Fiscal Year 2026 Homeland Security Grant Program, stating that 20% of funding will be withheld from states and 'high-risk urban election jurisdictions' until they comply with Trump administration election security mandates. These requirements include transitioning to hand-marked paper ballots from electronic voting systems and verifying the citizenship of all voters and election workers. Previous restrictions by FEMA on grant funding have led to lawsuits from state and local governments.

Context

FEMA's announcement comes as part of its Fiscal Year 2026 Homeland Security Grant Program, which allocates funds to improve security measures. The Trump administration previously emphasized election security, leading to these new mandates. States and local jurisdictions have historically pushed back against federal requirements, resulting in legal disputes over funding restrictions.

Why it matters

The new requirements imposed by FEMA could significantly impact how elections are conducted in various states. By mandating paper ballots and voter citizenship verification, the federal agency aims to enhance election security. However, these changes may also lead to increased administrative burdens for local election officials and potential legal challenges from states resistant to federal oversight.

Implications

If states fail to comply, they may face significant funding cuts, affecting their ability to secure election infrastructure. The transition to paper ballots could lead to longer voting times and increased costs for election administration. Voter access may also be impacted, particularly for those who may face challenges in verifying citizenship.

What to watch

In the near term, states will need to assess their compliance with these new requirements to avoid losing funding. Legal challenges may arise as jurisdictions contest the mandates, potentially delaying implementation. Observers should monitor how different states respond, particularly those with existing electronic voting systems.