Donald Trump is ramping up his attempts to reshape election rules in the US ahead of the midterms– and threatening to cut funding in states that do not comply.
The US Department of Homeland Security announced on Friday that the federal government will withhold some of the money used for anti-terrorism and cyber security programmes from states that do not follow the President’s proposed “common sense” election rules.
States could lose grants worth up to if they do not adhere to Trump administration demands to reduce voting rights, putting at risk projects to protect citizens against threats such as terrorist attacks, mass shootings and weaponised drones.
With midterm elections to elect members of Congress due in November, and the President’s Republican Party slumping in the polls, it is among a barrage of assaults on the voting system that critics say would deter people from casting ballots – especially minority groups – and undermine trust in election results.
In recent days, Trump has removed three members of America’s Election Assistance Commission, the independent body that aids election officials nationwide, and lashed out at Republican lawmakers hesitating to support his Save America Act, which would require people to provide proof of citizenship to register to vote and photo identification at the polls, among other restrictions.
