Story perspectives

Solicitor General Asks Supreme Court to Lift SAVE SSN Block

9/9/2026

Center

Sauer Seeks Lift

On September 8 2026, Solicitor General John Sauer asked the Supreme Court to lift an order blocking states from using SSN data in the SAVE system.
The administration argues the blocked use of SSN data threatens election integrity and confidence just weeks before the November 2026 midterm elections.
A D.C. Circuit panel upheld the block in a 2-1 vote and fast-tracked the appeal.

Left

Sauer Seeks Lift

On September 8, 2026, Solicitor D. John Sauer petitioned Supreme Court to lift a block on states using SSN data in SAVE system.
Critics say the filing endangers voter privacy and could wrongly purge voters, noting SAVE misidentifies citizens as noncitizens.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin warned refusing SAVE could bring criminal charges for election officials.
Judge Sparkle Sooknanan’s order said SAVE violated law, threatened voting rights and trampled privacy.

Blindspot

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin warned that states refusing to adopt the SAVE system could face criminal charges against election officials, according to his statement.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Left-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Center-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

The Help America Vote Act, signed by President George W. Bush on Oct 29 2002 after the 2000 election dispute, created the Election Assistance Commission to modernize voter-registration databases. Congress provided $3.5 billion, and the 2005 Voluntary Voting System Guidelines raised security standards. The Supreme Court’s review of SAVE’s Social-Security-number use continues HAVA’s push for uniform rolls and raises privacy concerns.

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Sauer Seeks Lift

On September 8 2026, Solicitor General John Sauer asked the Supreme Court to lift an order blocking states from using SSN data in the SAVE system.
The administration argues the blocked use of SSN data threatens election integrity and confidence just weeks before the November 2026 midterm elections.
A D.C. Circuit panel upheld the block in a 2-1 vote and fast-tracked the appeal.

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