Expansion of the SAVE Tool in Elections
More than 33 million voter records in the United States have been verified through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system, managed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The latest update, introduced in August, allows election officials to check voter information using only the last four digits of a Social Security number along with name and date of birth, in order to confirm citizenship or identify deceased individuals.
Concerns Over Accuracy and Data Privacy
The upgrade has made SAVE more compatible with state databases, significantly expanding its use. However, questions remain about the reliability of the system and what happens to the data uploaded by states. Under USCIS policy, queries are stored for ten years, raising privacy concerns and speculation about the potential creation of a national voter registry.
State-Level Reactions and Findings
Some states have already taken action based on SAVE results. Ohio officials have identified deceased voters for removal, and Louisiana reported hundreds of potential noncitizens on its rolls, with a small fraction having participated in past elections. At the same time, election officials in several states stress caution, warning that false positives could wrongly disenfranchise eligible voters.
Perspectivas a futuro
The Department of Homeland Security has encouraged wider adoption of the tool, at times linking federal funding to its use. While the system offers efficiency and broader verification capabilities, the lack of transparency regarding data storage and usage remains a critical issue. The ongoing debate highlights the balance between strengthening election integrity and safeguarding voter rights and personal information.
