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Administration demands states change voting rules or lose antiterrorism funds

newsJul 7, 202632422

The New York Times reported that the Trump administration is conditioning federal antiterrorism grant money on states adopting specific election changes, demanding paper ballot systems, verification of voter citizenship and expanded post-election audits. Federal officials told states they could forfeit tens of millions in counterterrorism funds if they do not pursue those measures, and the move comes a few months before the midterm elections. Posts note the policies mirror goals pushed by right-wing activists tied to debunked conspiracy claims about voting machines and noncitizen voting. Several posts cite that courts have previously blocked similar executive efforts, saying the Constitution does not grant the executive branch authority over state-run elections. Advocacy groups Democracy Docket and ContrarianNews.org were named as organizations working to block these kinds of changes. The demand is likely to trigger legal challenges from states and advocacy groups and force state officials to choose between changing election rules or accepting cuts to counterterrorism funding.

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