Homeland Security Grant Program
FEMA programme funding state and urban-area counterterrorism preparedness.
The Homeland Security Grant Program's money was cut loose from federal voting conditions on 28 September 2026, when a federal judge in Washington vacated FEMA's threat to withhold 20% of each state's grant over election practices.
Last refreshed: 1 October 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Timeline for Homeland Security Grant Program
Carried the vacated election conditions
US Midterms 2026: Judge Ali voids FEMA election conditionsBackground
The Homeland Security Grant Program is FEMA's main channel for counterterrorism preparedness funding to states and cities. It has three parts: the State Homeland Security Program, the Urban Area Security Initiative for high-risk metropolitan areas, and Operation Stonegarden for border security co-operation. States and urban areas propose the projects; FEMA funds them.
In 2026 FEMA tried to use the programme to change how states run elections. Each state faced losing 20% of its allocation if it refused three demands: SAVE checks on voters, a manual audit covering 5% of paper ballots, and a retreat from machine voting. The federal court in Washington voided those terms on 28 September.
The ruling matters for the programme's future shape. It confirms that counterterrorism grants cannot become a lever over state election procedures, even when the tool being pushed is lawful for states to use on their own.
What is the Homeland Security Grant Program?
What election conditions did FEMA attach to homeland security grants?
Why did a judge strike down FEMA's election grant conditions?
How much money does the Homeland Security Grant Program give out?
