Federal Voter Verification Checks Flag Thousands, Prompt Legal Challenges
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The Trump administration has used a federal immigration database to verify millions of voter registrations, flagging tens of thousands as potential noncitizens or deceased individuals. At least 25 states have participated in the checks, which have led to temporary registration suspensions and multiple federal lawsuits. The Department of Justice is pushing states to provide voter data for these checks, citing a commitment to election integrity.
Facts First
- At least 67 million voter registrations have been checked using the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program.
- Approximately 24,000 potential noncitizens and 350,000 potentially deceased individuals have been flagged across the checked registrations.
- At least 25 states have used the SAVE system to check voter rolls since April 2025.
- Multiple federal lawsuits have been filed by voting rights advocates challenging the use of SAVE checks.
- State response procedures vary, with some allowing only 30 days to prove eligibility and others requiring hearings before cancellation.
What Happened
The Trump administration has used the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program, a federal immigration database, to verify voter registrations. At least 67 million registrations have undergone checks. The Department of Justice (DOJ) has pushed states to provide unredacted voter information for these mass checks and has sued states that refuse. According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), checks of 60 million registrations in a one-year period identified approximately 24,000 potential noncitizens. A separate figure from a DOJ official indicated approximately 350,000 people were flagged as potentially deceased. At least six federal lawsuits have been filed by voting rights advocates regarding the SAVE checks.
Why this Matters to You
If you are a registered voter, your information may be subject to these federal verification checks. You could receive a letter flagging your registration as a potential noncitizen or deceased individual, which may require you to prove your eligibility within a short timeframe. Your registration could be temporarily suspended or canceled while you resolve the issue. The process to restore your voting status may involve obtaining new documentation, which could be time-consuming and costly. The checks appear to be expanding, with at least 25 states now using the system, which may increase the likelihood of being flagged.
What's Next
The Department of Justice is likely to continue its push for states to provide voter data for SAVE checks, and more states may adopt the system. The multiple federal lawsuits... could lead to court rulings that may clarify or limit the use of SAVE for voter verification. State laws... will continue to determine how quickly individuals must prove their eligibility and whether hearings are required before cancellation. The overall number of flagged registrations may rise as more states participate in the program.