JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, CPA, joined a coalition of state election officials in urging the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to implement significant reforms to the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program. In a joint letter sent to the Department, the group outlined a series of vital improvements designed to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of verifying voter eligibility, thereby bolstering the integrity of our nation’s elections.
“The integrity of our elections is non-negotiable. Ensuring that only eligible citizens cast their votes is the cornerstone of our democratic process,” stated Secretary Hoskins. “By modernizing the SAVE system, we can eliminate unnecessary delays and obstacles that currently burden our state election offices.”
The proposed reforms include:
- Bulk Search Capability: Enabling state officials to verify the citizenship status of multiple individuals simultaneously, significantly reducing processing time and administrative effort.
- Expanded Use of Identifiers: Allowing the use of additional identifying information—such as date of birth, Social Security numbers, and driver’s license numbers—that is already collected during voter registration.
- Fee-Free Access: Removing the fees imposed on state election officials for using the SAVE system, ensuring that federal resources are fully leveraged to protect our elections.
- Clear Operational Guidelines: Establishing unambiguous directives for the use of the SAVE system to eliminate confusion and judicial inconsistencies.
- Notification of Naturalization Filings: Implementing a mechanism to alert states when individuals applying for naturalization have a history of voter registration, thereby preemptively addressing potential issues.
Secretary Hoskins emphasized that these measures are essential not only for enhancing administrative efficiency but also for upholding the democratic principle that every vote must count.
“Our collective goal is to ensure a secure electoral process that reflects the will of eligible American citizens. The SAVE Act reforms are a critical step in that direction,” he added.
The joint letter and its recommendations mark a proactive effort by state officials across the country to safeguard election integrity. Missouri remains committed to working collaboratively with federal partners to implement these vital reforms.
