DHS SAVE Voter Checks

The Department of Homeland Security’s SAVE database, originally used to verify immigration status for benefits, has been adapted for state voter-roll citizenship checks using personal data held by federal agencies.

The expanded system has prompted disputes over privacy protections and legal authority, as well as concern that inaccurate matches could flag eligible citizens and burden their ability to vote. Texas investigations reported that some people flagged by the system were citizens. Court proceedings have addressed whether the expanded checks can continue and what limits apply to federal data use and voter-roll review.