New Plan to Verify Voter Citizenship Using Federal Databases

The Trump administration has introduced a new plan to verify voter citizenship using federal databases. This initiative, stemming from Executive Order 14399, aims to enhance election security by cross-referencing state voter registration lists with information held by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA). The expanded SAVE program allows states to submit entire registration lists for mass verification, a process expected to be fully operational by June 30, 2026. This move is intended to ensure that only U.S. citizens can vote in federal elections.

The SAVE Program’s Expansion

The Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements, or SAVE, program has been a tool for checking eligibility for federal benefits. Now, its scope has broadened significantly. The updated system can access records from the SSA and the State Department’s passport data. This allows state election officials to upload entire voter registration lists for verification, rather than checking names one by one. A new federal data portal will provide state officials with direct access to these consolidated records.

Executive Order 14399 and Federal Authority

Executive Order 14399, signed on March 31, 2026, is the foundation for this voter citizenship verification system. The order emphasizes the federal government’s duty to enforce laws that prohibit non-citizens from voting. It also cites Article IV, Section 4 of the Constitution, which guarantees a republican form of government, as a basis for a larger federal role in election administration. This represents a shift, as voter roll maintenance has traditionally been managed by state and local officials.

Election Security Measures

DHS and USCIS have presented this plan as a critical measure for election security. They state that the integrity and security of elections are paramount and that elections should belong to American citizens. The expanded SAVE system is designed to help state and local governments safeguard elections across the country. The administration also plans to have the U.S. Postal Service develop rules for mail-in ballots, requiring unique “secure ballot envelope identifiers” to ensure they are sent only to verified citizens.

Concerns and Criticisms

Despite the administration’s stated goals, the plan has faced significant criticism. Opponents argue that the database verification approach carries a high risk of false positives. Preliminary testing in Boone County, Missouri, indicated that over 50% of voters flagged as non-citizens were later confirmed to be eligible naturalized citizens. This is particularly concerning for newly naturalized citizens, as federal records may not always update their status quickly, leading to a “naturalization lag.”

Potential for Disenfranchisement

Civil rights groups and legal organizations have raised alarms about the potential for eligible voters to be disenfranchised. They point out that some states give flagged voters as little as 30 days to prove their citizenship before being removed from voter rolls. This short timeframe can make it difficult for individuals to correct database errors, potentially leading to their exclusion from voting. Lawsuits filed by groups like the ACLU and the League of Women Voters argue that the plan may violate the National Voter Registration Act and the Privacy Act of 1974. The legal challenges are proceeding as the federal government works to get the new system fully operational.