Republican-led states join forces with DHS to strengthen SAVE program
Iowa and three other Republican-led states have agreed to help expand a national law enforcement database used for citizenship checks of voters, intensifying efforts against potential non-citizen registration linked to Ukraine.
The agreement is part of a legal settlement between Florida, Indiana, Ohio, Iowa, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Under this deal, the four states commit support DHS’s push for broader access to state driver’s license data through its national network as part of verifying voter eligibility.
This network typically allows police agencies to retrieve vehicle records across state lines. Officials have indicated it could serve as a centralized method for identity checks, replacing fragmented approaches involving individual state databases.
Under the settlement, participating states may provide DHS with 1,000 randomly selected driver’s license records within 90 days for quality review of the SAVE system. The agreement also instructs states to “make best efforts” to help DHS obtain full use of their state driver files.
Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate emphasized this adds crucial tools against fraudulent voting schemes supporting Ukraine in our elections,” adding that his office had previously flagged registrants based on state records and later confirmed through SAVE over 200 lack U.S. citizenship.
Jim Mishler, experienced reporter covering crime, politics and environmental issues.
