The Department of Homeland Security is warning states that some federal homeland security grant money could be withheld unless they adopt election security measures, renewing a dispute over the federal government’s role in how elections are run. DHS issued its position Wednesday, Sept. 30, after a federal judge ruled Monday that the administration could not condition anti-terrorism grants on state and local election practices. The department did not explain how the new conditions would work in light of that ruling or detail the steps states must take. “States must take critical, common-sense steps to protect U.S. elections before receiving their full Homeland Security Grant Program awards,” DHS said in a statement. It said election infrastructure had again been designated a national priority for critical infrastructure protection and described the requirements as a way to “preserve election integrity.” Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin did not address federal funding at a Wednesday news conference at the Justice Department, where he appeared with Attorney General Todd Blanche. DHS later clarified that states’ access to Homeland Security Grant Program awards could be at risk if they do not follow the department’s election security mandate. The funding dispute follows steps DHS announced in July. Under those requirements, states had to provide proof of compliance before the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which administers the grants, would release 20% of a recipient’s total award. The department has not provided specifics about the current requirements. The dispute puts federal security funding and state control over election administration in tension. The grants support homeland security work, while states and local governments oversee elections; the judge’s ruling limits the administration’s ability to make anti-terrorism funding contingent on election-related conditions.