In brief
In a significant move leading up to the 2024 presidential election, four Republican-led states have settled lawsuits against the Biden administration over access to voters' citizenship data. The states will now be able to verify voter eligibility through an upgraded federal program, raising concerns about potential voter purges.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Florida, Indiana, Iowa, and Ohio have settled lawsuits against the federal government concerning access to citizenship data for voters, an issue that has been contentious since the Biden administration took office. This settlement allows these states to access and verify the citizenship status of registered voters using upgraded tools from the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program. The settlement follows allegations from these states that the previous administration was withholding critical information needed to determine voter eligibility ahead of the 2024 elections. Each state can now search for eligible voters with specific identifying information through federal databases. Voting rights advocates are wary about the new agreement, fearing that the information-sharing aspects could lead to eligible voters being removed from the rolls. The SAVE approach, which is being expanded, has faced scrutiny over its effectiveness and fairness in managing citizenship verifications. As preparations ramp up for the upcoming midterm elections, this agreement, along with renewed requests for complete voter rolls from states by the Department of Justice, signals a continued focus on the integrity and verification of voter eligibility that has been a contentious issue in American politics.
