The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Aug. 12, 2026
We’ve been reporting since last spring on attempts by the Trump administration to obtain state voter and personal data for the expanded SAVE Database. That effort included lawsuits against 30 states and DC for refusing. DOJ is 0-22 in those cases.
The data demanded by the U.S. Department of Justice includes publicly-available voter rolls, but also voting history, and Social Security and other personal information, for the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements, or SAVE system. Combined with data from federal agencies, SAVE was to be repurposed from helping businesses and agencies check citizenship status, into a tool to verify citizenship for voting purposes. This, despite no evidence of widespread noncitizen voting.
States, voting rights groups and voters argue that the Elections Clause of the U.S. Constitution grants states control over elections, not the executive branch. Further, releasing the data violated both state and federal privacy statutes, including the Privacy Act of 1974, and the administration provided no valid justification not follow those statutes.
So far, cases against 21 states and DC have been dismissed by federal district courts. June 24th, a three-judge Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals panel also sided with the State of Michigan. Cases against Delaware, Washington, Georgia, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah, Minnesota, Idaho and Vermont have not yet been decided.
We’ve linked to more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
U.S. Department of Justice – Justice Department Sues Six Additional States for Failure to Provide Voter Registration Rolls
Brennan Center for Justice – Tracker of Justice Department Requests for Voter Information
Votebeat – Appeals court rules against Trump administration in Michigan voter roll dispute
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALSFOR THE SIXTH CIRCUIT – Opinion in U.S. v. Benson
Newsweek – Donald Trump Suffers 19th Straight Defeat in Voter Roll Campaign
Related ADM Reports:
American Democracy Minute – Class Action Suit by Voters Claims Personal Data Shared to the Trump Administration’s SAVE Database Violates the Privacy Act of 1974
American Democracy Minute – Federal Court Dismisses DOJ Suit Demanding RI’s Personal Voter Data. The Administration is 0-5 Against States Refusing to Comply.
Groups Taking Action:
Michigan Alliance for Retired Americans, League of Women Voters NH, ACLU KY
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State
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