In our great nation, the integrity of our electoral process stands as a pillar of democracy. As Missouri’s Secretary of State, I have witnessed firsthand the challenges that outdated systems impose on election officials—challenges that can compromise our most sacred democratic practices. It is time to modernize the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program to ensure that only eligible citizens participate in our elections.
The SAVE system was designed with a crucial purpose: to verify the citizenship status of individuals registering to vote. Yet, in its current state, it is hampered by several limitations that diminish its effectiveness. One major issue is the requirement for state officials to individually search for each voter’s status. This laborious process not only creates delays but also diverts precious resources from other essential election-related duties.
Reforming SAVE is not merely about administrative efficiency—it is about safeguarding the very foundation of our democracy. Allowing bulk searches would empower election officials to verify multiple voters simultaneously, reducing the burden on our already overstretched systems. Additionally, the current reliance on a narrow set of unique identifiers, such as Alien Identification or naturalization numbers, does not reflect the complete picture. Election officials routinely collect vital information—such as date of birth, Social Security numbers, and driver’s license details—that, if incorporated into SAVE, could dramatically improve its accuracy and efficiency.
Moreover, the financial burden imposed by user fees is untenable. When the integrity of our elections is at stake, state officials should not have to bear the cost of accessing a federal resource designed to protect that very integrity. Eliminating these fees is a logical step toward ensuring that every state can effectively secure its electoral processes.
Clear operational guidelines are also essential. Ambiguities in how and when the SAVE system should be used have led to conflicting interpretations and even judicial challenges. By establishing precise, consistent directives, we can remove unnecessary obstacles and provide our states with the robust tools they need to prevent noncitizen interference in the voting process.
Finally, a proactive measure such as notifying states of naturalization applicants who have previously registered to vote would add another critical layer of oversight. Such a mechanism would help preempt potential violations before they can undermine the democratic process.
The call for SAVE Act reforms is not driven by partisanship—it is driven by a steadfast commitment to fairness and the rule of law. Our democracy depends on ensuring that every vote cast is the vote of an eligible citizen. Modernizing the SAVE system is a necessary and overdue step toward protecting the integrity of our elections.
I sincerely hope that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will join state election officials nationwide in enacting these critical reforms. Together, we can ensure that our electoral system remains a true and fair reflection of the will of the American people.
