From ABC7 Chicago · · 1m 20s
Supreme Court Allows Trump Admin to Use Voter Database
Supreme Court permits Trump administration to use federal voter eligibility database ahead of 2026 midterms.
In brief
Supreme Court permits Trump administration to use federal voter eligibility database ahead of 2026 midterms. Supreme Court temporarily permits Trump administration to use SAVE voter database for voter eligibility checks before 2026 midterms. Originally reported by ABC7 Chicago.
Supreme Court Ruling
Supreme Court lets Trump administration use revamped federal voter eligibility database for now.
Temporary Use of SAVE
States can use the Department of Homeland Security program called Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements to verify voter eligibility on rolls.
Voluntary Program
States' use of the SAVE program is voluntary and limited by existing law blocking purges within 90 days of elections.
Legal Challenge
Federal judge previously blocked the administration's SAVE version as illegal due to privacy concerns and potential voter errors.
Court Ruling
Supreme Court majority cited a 1996 law allowing DHS to get citizenship information from other federal agencies.
Dissenting Justices
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson and two others dissented, warning of risks to legitimate voters being wrongly removed.
Real-World Impact
In Travis County, Texas, 10% to 21% of voters flagged by SAVE as noncitizens were actually U.S. citizens.
Administration's Use
DHS officials have continued using social security data in certain cases to verify information despite court blocks.
What matters most
Supreme Court temporarily permits Trump administration to use SAVE voter database for voter eligibility checks before 2026 midterms.
