Feds can't withhold counterterrorism funds from states to force election admin changes, judge rules
The judge said FEMA never explained how the election changes it wanted were "tied to the goal of shoring up vulnerabilities to terrorist attacks."
TL;DR
- A judge vacated a Trump administration rule that threatened to withhold 20% of federal counterterrorism funds.
- The rule required states and municipalities to make certain changes to election administration.
- The judge ruled FEMA exceeded its legal authority and did not show how election changes related to stopping terrorism.
- A lawsuit challenging the rule was filed by counties in Texas and Tennessee and the city of Columbus, Ohio.
- The Brennan Center for Justice stated the conditions violated the Constitution and put election security at risk.
- The required election changes included transitioning to hand-marked paper ballots, conducting post-election audits, reconciling voter numbers, and verifying citizenship of voters and election personnel.