Judge Blocks SAVE Voter-Check Tool After 24,000 Flags Over Privacy Law Violations
Updated
Updated · KJZZ · Jul 6
Judge Blocks SAVE Voter-Check Tool After 24,000 Flags Over Privacy Law Violations
2 articles · Updated · KJZZ · Jul 6
Summary
A federal judge barred states from using the revamped SAVE system for mass voter-roll checks, finding it violated the Social Security Act, Privacy Act and Administrative Procedure Act.
The ruling centered on the Trump administration’s decision to link SAVE to Social Security data without proper public notice, while the court also cited inaccuracies that could wrongly threaten eligible voters’ registration.
ProPublica found the tool falsely flagged hundreds of voters, especially some born abroad or deriving citizenship through parents; in Texas, some were removed if they failed to respond within 30 days.
About half of states signed on to the revamped system, and USCIS said it had identified roughly 24,000 potential noncitizens nationwide; in Arizona, Maricopa County referred about 200 flagged voters to prosecutors.
The administration signaled it will appeal, while the fight also clouds the proposed SAVE Act, which would require proof of citizenship for registration and mandate states use the tool.