Florida has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, seeking access to noncitizen data to maintain accurate voter rolls, as part of its efforts to ensure election integrity.
The state of Florida has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), seeking access to information on noncitizens that it claims is being unlawfully withheld. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody announced the lawsuit on October 16, alleging that the federal government’s refusal to provide this data hinders the state’s efforts to maintain accurate voter rolls and ensure election integrity.
At the heart of the lawsuit is Florida’s request for data from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to verify the citizenship status of individuals who may be noncitizens registered to vote. According to Florida authorities, the current federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program, which Florida has access to, is insufficient for the state’s needs. The program requires biographic information and an immigration identification number, which is not always available, limiting Florida’s ability to cross-check voter eligibility effectively.
The state argues that federal law obligates the DHS to provide the requested information, and that the refusal to do so violates federal regulations. “Without further information from DHS, Florida is unable to fulfill its statutory duties to ensure the integrity of its elections and maintain accurate voter registration records,” reads the complaint filed in a Pensacola federal court.
Attorney General Moody emphasized the state’s concerns over election integrity, stating, "Voting is a right granted to American citizens—not illegal immigrants or other noncitizens." Moody also pointed to the Biden administration’s immigration policies, which she claims have exacerbated the problem by allowing millions of undocumented immigrants into the country.
In response to the lawsuit, a DHS spokesperson declined to comment on the specifics of the pending litigation but confirmed that USCIS has engaged with Florida and will continue to correspond with state officials.
The lawsuit seeks a court order compelling the DHS to provide the requested citizenship data and requests reimbursement of legal costs incurred by the state. The lawsuit did not specify how many noncitizens Florida has identified as potentially being registered to vote.
Florida's legal action highlights an ongoing struggle between states and the federal government over voter registration data and election integrity. Similar efforts have been made by states like Virginia and Alabama, which have also faced challenges in verifying voter rolls and have similarly clashed with the federal government over access to noncitizen data.
