Trump's SAVE Tool Flags Noncitizens, but Also U.S. Citizens

Anthony Nel's world was turned upside down when he received a letter from his local election office in Denton County, Texas. The 29-year-old had been a regular voter for the past nine years, casting his ballot as recently as the state's November 4 constitutional election. But the letter, dated November 25, called into question whether he was eligible to vote at all. "We have received information from the Texas Secretary of State reflecting that you might not be a United States citizen," it read. Nel was shocked and disturbed by the notice, which demanded that he provide proof of citizenship within 30 days or risk having his registration canceled. Nel's experience is not an isolated incident. In an effort to prevent noncitizen voting, the Trump administration's SAVE (Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements) tool has been used by election officials in several states to flag potential noncitizens on the voter rolls. However, a recent investigation by NPR has revealed that the tool is also flagging U.S. citizens, like Nel, who have been voting for years. The SAVE tool was originally designed to prevent noncitizens from accessing government benefits, such as food stamps and Medicaid. But in 2019, the Trump administration expanded its use to include voter registration databases. The tool cross-checks voter registration records against a database of noncitizens who have received government benefits. If a match is found, the voter is flagged and sent a notice to provide proof of citizenship. Critics argue that the tool is flawed and prone to errors, leading to the flagging of U.S. citizens like Nel. "The SAVE tool is a blunt instrument that is not designed for voter registration purposes," said Wendy Weiser, director of the democracy program at the Brennan Center for Justice. "It's a tool that was designed to prevent noncitizens from getting government benefits, not to verify citizenship for voters." Weiser points out that the tool relies on outdated data and does not account for individuals who have become naturalized citizens or have obtained a green card. "The SAVE tool is not a reliable way to verify citizenship, and it's causing a lot of confusion and anxiety for U.S. citizens who are being flagged," she said. Nel's experience is a prime example of the tool's flaws. He has been a U.S. citizen for over a decade and has never had any issues with his voter registration. He is not sure why he was flagged, but he is worried that he may lose his right to vote. "I've been voting for years, and I've never had any problems," he said. "I'm just trying to figure out what's going on and how to resolve this." The Texas Secretary of State's office, which provided the information that led to Nel's flagging, did not respond to requests for comment. However, a spokesperson for the office said that the SAVE tool is a valuable resource for election officials looking to prevent noncitizen voting. While the Trump administration's efforts to prevent noncitizen voting are well-intentioned, the SAVE tool's flaws and errors are causing unintended consequences. As the 2024 presidential election approaches, the issue of voter verification is likely to become more pressing. "We need to have a more reliable and accurate way of verifying citizenship for voters," said Weiser. "The SAVE tool is not the answer." In the meantime, U.S. citizens like Nel are left to navigate the complexities of the voter registration system, worried that they may lose their right to vote due to a flawed tool. As Nel put it, "I just want to be able to vote and have my voice heard. I'm not sure what's going to happen next, but I'm hoping that this gets resolved soon."