Fact Check: DHS claims 99.99% of checked voter records are U.S. citizens.

Fact Check: DHS claims 99.99% of checked voter records are U.S. citizens

What We Know

The claim that "99.99% of checked voter records are U.S. citizens" appears to stem from the recent implementation of a new citizenship verification tool by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This tool, which integrates data from various federal databases, aims to assist state and local election officials in confirming the citizenship status of voters. According to reports, DHS has processed over 9 million voter records through this upgraded Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system, which is designed to verify whether individuals are U.S. citizens, including both U.S.-born citizens and naturalized citizens (NPR).

The tool was developed to address the longstanding issue of verifying citizenship in a more efficient manner, as previously, election officials relied on a patchwork of state and federal data sources to confirm voter eligibility (NPR). However, concerns have been raised regarding the accuracy of the data and the potential implications of such a centralized database, especially given the historical context of voter fraud claims that have often been debunked (NPR, 4).

Analysis

While the DHS's assertion of a 99.99% accuracy rate in verifying citizenship through the new system is notable, it lacks comprehensive public validation. The source of this claim is not explicitly detailed in the reports, and the methodology behind how this percentage was calculated remains unclear. The NPR article highlights skepticism among election experts regarding the reliability of the data, particularly in light of past failures in similar voter verification efforts (NPR).

Moreover, the development of this tool has been criticized for its lack of transparency and public input, raising questions about its legality and ethical implications. Legal experts have expressed concern that such a significant data aggregation effort is being undertaken without adequate oversight or public discourse (NPR).

Additionally, while the SAVE system has been utilized for verifying immigration status since the 1980s, its application for voter verification is relatively new and has not been thoroughly tested in real-world electoral contexts. Previous attempts to create a comprehensive national voter database have faced significant backlash and logistical challenges, which casts doubt on the feasibility of achieving a 99.99% verification rate (NPR, 4).

Conclusion

Needs Research. The claim that 99.99% of checked voter records are U.S. citizens requires further investigation. While the DHS has implemented a new tool aimed at improving citizenship verification, the lack of transparency regarding the accuracy and methodology of this claim, combined with historical context and expert skepticism, indicates that more research is needed to substantiate the assertion.