Tuesday Immigration Update: Expanded Use of Citizenship Data in Voter Rolls Raises More Questions

Recent reporting indicates that the federal government is seeking to expand the use of voter registration and citizenship data in ways that could affect elections and immigration enforcement.  Authorities are pushing to have states share voter roll information with immigration verification systems, sparking debate among state officials, privacy advocates, and legal experts.

What Is Happening

• The administration is using a system called SAVE (Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements) as a tool for states to compare registered voters against federal immigration databases.
• In mid-August, the SAVE system was updated to allow state election administrators to conduct bulk searches using basic identifying details such as name, date of birth, and partial Social Security information.
• At least 33 million voter records have already been checked through the updated SAVE program since it was expanded.
• State officials and civil rights groups are raising concerns about the accuracy, privacy, and legal authority for these checks.  Some states are refusing to share data or request clarification about how the data will be used and protected.

Key Issues & Concerns

• Privacy and Data Security:  Sharing voter registration data in bulk and matching it against immigration records poses risks of data misuse or breach. Citizens and noncitizens alike may be affected if private information is over-shared or improperly secured.
• Accuracy and Errors:  SAVE was not designed originally for voter verification. Errors in data or mismatches could wrongly flag people as noncitizens or raise legal questions, even for people who are U.S. citizens.
• State vs. Federal Authority:  Many states say they were not consulted in advance, or that their legal obligations and state privacy laws conflict with this expanded use. In some places, state law limits how voter data can be shared.
• Potential Chilling Effect: The presence of citizen verification in voter registration may deter eligible voters from registering or renewing registration if documentation is burdensome or they fear government scrutiny.

What To Watch Going Forward

• Whether there will be formal rulemaking, federal guidance, or court rulings to clarify how SAVE may legally be used for voter data.
• How states will respond: some may comply, some may push back or challenge the use of voter data under SAVE.
• Whether privacy protections or limits will be put in place (for example, redaction, data minimization, audit trails).
• Possible lawsuits from state officials, civil rights groups, or individuals who believe their data rights or voting rights are at risk.

What You Can Do If You're Concerned

• If you are a voter:  stay informed about your state’s policies and whether your state is participating in citizen-verification through SAVE.
• Keep your voter registration and identity documents in order, especially birth certificates, passports, or other acceptable proof of citizenship, in case verification demands increase.
• Consider consulting a legal resource or organization if you believe your registration status is being challenged or if you receive correspondence about verification.

📩 For legal advice or updates on how this could impact voter registration, citizenship verification, or immigration status, contact the Law Office of Julia L. Stommes at [email protected].

If you have questions about your visa status or if you are an employer exploring immigration options, we are here to help.  At the Law Office of Julia L. Stommes, we are committed to helping individuals and businesses navigate complex legal landscapes.
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The information provided in this blog is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice.  To schedule a Consultation to discuss your legal immigration options, please email us at [email protected].