Federal Voter Tool Flags Citizens, Raising Election Integrity Concerns
A federal program designed to identify non-citizens on voter rolls, the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE), is facing scrutiny after repeatedly and incorrectly flagging eligible citizens, particularly those born outside the U.S. The issues, first reported by ProPublica and The Texas Tribune, highlight the challenges of ensuring election integrity while safeguarding the rights of legitimate voters.
The SAVE System: A Troubled Rollout
Originally intended to verify eligibility for public benefits, SAVE was expanded under the direction of President Donald Trump with the goal of identifying and removing non-citizens from state voter rolls. This expansion involved pooling confidential data from across the federal government to allow states to mass-verify voter citizenship status. However, the rollout was rushed, occurring while data was still being added and before the system could accurately discern current citizenship information.
Missouri and Texas: Early Adopters, Early Problems
Missouri and Texas were among the first states to implement SAVE. In Missouri, state officials initially directed county clerks to temporarily prevent flagged voters from casting ballots, a move that affected hundreds of citizens. County Clerk Brianna Lennon of Boone County, Missouri, raised concerns about the system’s accuracy, noting that over half of the voters flagged in her county were, in fact, citizens. In Texas, similar issues emerged, with local clerks reporting confusion due to a lack of clear guidance from the state and fears of disenfranchising eligible voters.
Inaccurate Data and Conflicting Information
The core of the problem lies in SAVE’s data. The system has made “persistent mistakes” in assessing citizenship, particularly for individuals born outside the U.S. Data gathered from local election administrators and public records requests show that the system doesn’t always accurately reflect updated citizenship status. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has had to correct information provided to at least five states after SAVE misidentified voters as non-citizens.
Impact on Voters and Election Administration
The errors have created significant burdens for both voters and election officials. Citizens flagged by SAVE have been required to provide proof of citizenship, a process that can be frustrating and time-consuming. Election administrators, like Lennon, have been forced to grapple with inaccurate data and conflicting instructions from state officials. “It really does not help my confidence,” Lennon stated, “that the information we are trying to use to make really important decisions…is so inaccurate.”
Limited Evidence of Widespread Non-Citizen Voting
Despite claims of widespread non-citizen voting, the initial results from states using SAVE suggest otherwise. Seven states, representing approximately 35 million registered voters, have publicly reported the results of running their voter rolls through the system. These searches identified roughly 4,200 potential non-citizens – less than 0.01% of registered voters. This aligns with previous findings that non-citizens rarely register to vote.
DHS Response and Ongoing Concerns
Brian Broderick, who leads the verification division of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), acknowledged the system’s limitations but defended its use, stating that states ultimately decide how to utilize the data. However, concerns remain about privacy and the potential for the data to be used in immigration enforcement. Speaking at a recent conference, Broderick revealed that voters flagged by SAVE as non-citizens are also referred to DHS for possible criminal investigation.
The Future of SAVE and Voter Verification
While 27 states have agreed to use SAVE, others have hesitated due to concerns about accuracy, privacy, and potential misuse of data. The system’s initial rollout highlights the demand for careful planning, thorough testing, and clear guidance before implementing large-scale data verification programs. The incident underscores the delicate balance between ensuring election integrity and protecting the rights of all eligible voters.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the SAVE system? SAVE (Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements) is a Department of Homeland Security tool used to verify citizenship status.
- Why is SAVE causing problems? The system has been flagged for making persistent errors, particularly in identifying naturalized citizens as non-citizens.
- What states are using SAVE? At least 27 states have agreed to use SAVE, including Texas and Missouri.
- Is non-citizen voting a widespread problem? Initial data from states using SAVE suggests that non-citizen voting is rare, representing less than 0.01% of registered voters.
- What is being done to address the issues with SAVE? DHS has acknowledged the errors and is working to improve the system, but concerns remain about its accuracy and potential for misuse.
Pro Tip: Always double-check your voter registration status and ensure your information is up-to-date with your local election officials.
Did you know? Previous efforts by Texas to identify ineligible voters in 2019 were abandoned after it became clear the methodology misidentified thousands of citizens.
Have questions or concerns about voter eligibility? Contact your local election officials or visit the website of your state’s Secretary of State for more information.
