Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated on July 17, 2026, that states that do not comply with the Trump administration's election security requirements may face a loss of federal funding. He indicated that election officials who ignore information provided by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) could be subject to fines, penalties, or imprisonment. Mullin made these comments during a press conference following President Donald Trump’s address regarding election integrity. He did not specify which laws might be violated or potential charges for non-compliance.
Mullin noted that 23 states are currently participating in DHS’s expanded SAVE program, which allows election officials to compare voter records with federal immigration data. He mentioned that an updated election infrastructure plan from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) would be released within 30 days. Some Republican-led states, including Mississippi, North Dakota, and West Virginia, are not participating in the program.
Mullin emphasized the importance of participation, stating that states not involved should explain their reluctance. He also mentioned that DHS has set election security conditions for recipients of FEMA’s Homeland Security Grant Program. Additionally, he called on Congress to pass the SAVE America Act, which includes requirements for proof of citizenship to register to vote and photo identification at polling places. Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressed skepticism about the bill's chances of passing due to insufficient Republican support to overcome a Democratic filibuster.